Justin White opens up on breaking Macleod’s games record and his love for the club
Justin White is Macleod’s greatest player, it’s hard to argue, and “Scooter” was celebrated accordingly as he broke the club’s games record – finishing with a cheeky goal.
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Justin White is Macleod.
There would be few that argue he is the club’s greatest player and one of the Northern league’s modern superstars.
On Saturday, “Scooter” played his 261st senior match to break the Kangas’ games record and further entrench himself in club history.
He takes the record from “long-sleeved partner in the backline” Daniel O’Brien who passed another club legend in Kane Shaw in 2019 – ironically, White played his 200th that same day.
Macleod marked the day with a thumping 76-point win over Northcote Park at DeWinton Park.
White putting a cherry on top, kicking the final goal of the game, after the siren before being chaired off to well-deserved applause.
Although he admits, he might have cheekily called out a teammate for a crack at that last kick.
“There was a fair bit of a fuss before the game, I can soak it up a fair bit but it was overwhelming,” White said.
“There’s a lot of people behind the scenes that went out of their way to make it a special day.
“I was pretty lucky to get that goal, we got a free kick and I definitely wasn’t the closest but I gave one of the young fellas a finger wave and said ‘I’ll take this one’.
“We have a buzzer before our siren, so as I got the ball I could here that and I thought ‘oh, no’ but luckily it went through and all the boys got to me.
“I remember being under the huddle pissing myself laughing.”
White joined junior affiliate Macleod Eagles in 2006 and made his senior debut just two years later.
He was part of the losing 2008 Division 2 grand final before helping the club break it’s 38-year premiership drought in 2009.
The star half-back was a key players as the Kangas rose to the top of Division 1, claiming the 2015 flag and playing in four consecutive grand finals.
It’s little surprise, the football club is like a second home.
“It was pretty special, it’s something that’s been on the cards for a little while,” White said.
“I played a lot of footy with OB (O’Brien) and when he retired I knew I was next in line and how far off I was.
“Obviously, you don’t play for individual awards but I love this club and it’s great to hold something like this here.
“I started at the junior club in 2006 and played my first senior game in 2008.
“It’s been a long time and a lot of the blokes I’m playing with now almost weren’t even born then, or born that year.”
White is one of the most decorated players of the past 25 years.
He won club best-and-fairests in 2013 and 2019, was selected in the Division 1 Team of the Year in nine straight seasons and finished runner-up in the Rosbrook Medal three times.
Having seen the club rise from Division 2 to Division 1 power, he’s keen to guide the next generation.
After relegation last year, Macleod is eyeing an immediate bounce back premiership.
“It’s disappointing to go down to Div 2 but it’s a reset with all the youth we’ve got coming through,” he said.
“Ideally you stay in Div 1 but it’s not the end of the world, winning is a good environment.
“I remember when I first came down I was made to feel very welcome by the senior boys, so that’s what I’m trying to do now.
“I believe footy clubs are great places to go, come down have some fun and be yourself.”
Incredibly, White has only played two reserve grade games in his near 20 years in senior football – and only a handful of under-19s appearances.
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The 300-game milestone is on the horizon.
“It would be nice to get there, we’ll see what happens,” White said.
“I pull up fine, I’m never sore, I’m just grumpy at training but I very much love playing the game of footy.”
Macleod travels to Panton Hill on Saturday, looking to continue the strong form that sees it sit second on the Division 2 ladder, behind Diamond Creek on percentage.
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