By Russell Bennett and David Nagel
IT’S the way former Dandenong Stingrays gun defender Brandon White was told he’d make his AFL debut for St Kilda on the weekend that spoke volumes about both his progression as a young player and the Saints’ march forward under Alan Richardson.
“Mate, we like the way you’re going. Your last six weeks at VFL level have been really positive so you’re going to play this week (in the AFL),” Richardson said in a heart-to-heart in his office with White, captured by St Kilda video cameras.
“I reckon when it’s the last game of the year it can come across as ‘we’re just going to give a young bloke a go’ but no, we’re not doing that.
“You’ve got to earn the right to play – you don’t just get a game because you’re talented or because that’s the journey you’re on.
“You’ve got to play the way we want you to play, and that’s what I’ve liked.
“I haven’t seen every game in that six-week period live but what I’ve liked when I’ve been there, mate, is how physical you’ve been and how hard you’re able to play on and you’re starting to give us a bit more of that drive.
“Enjoy it, and just get out there and play Saints footy.”
The Journal was there, at the White family home in Berwick last November, when Brandon’s name was read out with pick 40 at the National Draft – held in Adelaide.
“I’m excited to be going down there (to the Saints) and earning my respect from the team mates, (and) coaching staff and all the hard work is ahead, really,” he said at the time.
White’s VFL form in the weeks building up to his selection in the Saints’ side was impressive, booting bags of five and four goals and another two of two each while also being named in the best four times.
His former club, Dandenong, will launch its bid for a maiden TAC Cup premiership from top spot on the ladder when it takes on Murray Bushrangers in Sunday’s qualifying final at IKON Park.
For just the third time in the 25-year history of the club the Stingrays have finished at the top of the TAC Cup ladder, joining the minor premiership teams of 1997 and 2010.
Ironically, it was current-day coach Craig Black that was co-captain of the 1997 outfit that fell agonisingly short on grand final day.
Black believes this current crop of stars is building the necessary belief to go all the way after winning seven games during the home-and-away season by 15 points or less.
“They don’t like getting beaten, and that’s a very good trait to have in the TAC Cup because all the players have talent. It’s the little things that make the difference,” Black said.
“Obviously a little bit of fortune plays a part but if you start winning a few by under a kick it can build massive belief within a group. Hopefully this group can go one step further than we did in 1997.”
The Rays defeated fifth-placed Sandringham, fourth-placed Murray and second-placed Geelong in three of their last four matches.
“Obviously we’re happy with our season and where we finished, but the best thing is we’ve earned that position by beating good opposition in finals-like matches,” Black said.
The Stingrays’ success has been built around a solid core of players with Daniel Allsop, Lachie Gill-Renouf, Matt LaFontaine and Bailey Morrish all having consistent seasons.
Sam Fowler leads the goal-kicking charts with 33 goals, with Allsop (28), Tom De Koning (17) and x-factor Josh Battle (16 from six games) set to provide the Bushrangers defence with plenty of headaches on the weekend.
Mason DeWit and Hunter Clark have been in top form of late and will be players to keep an eye on.
The Stingrays-Bushrangers clash begins at 2pm.
