MITCH White’s time at Melbourne came to an end in 2017, but the 22-year-old hasn’t given up on his AFL dream just yet.

After pulling on the red and blue guernsey, on four occasions in his three years at the club, White got a taste of playing the game he loves on the biggest stage of all.

“It was an incredible feeling and I’m going to strive to push towards it again,” White told Melbourne Media.

“I think it’s something every one is striving for … and anyone that has ever done it knows it’s pretty exciting.”

White has signed with the Casey Demons in 2018 with the hope he can use the VFL to revive his AFL career.

“I put a lot of hard work into three years for just four games, unfortunately, but I know that I’ve played pretty good VFL footy at the level before, so I thought while I’m young, why not have a crack?” he said.

Although there are plenty of VFL clubs around, staying with Casey was an easy decision for White.

“I want to play good footy and I know Casey will dish out an elite program at the very least,” he said.

“The few boys who have come out of the VFL to be drafted in the last couple of years have all played at a good level and I just thought I didn’t really want to be anywhere else.

“It also helps that it’s only 10 minutes around the corner [from home].”

Despite the disappointment of being delisted by Melbourne, White has remained extremely positive and continued his strong relationship with the club.

“I was pretty comfortable with the fact that I hadn’t played at the level they were expecting … and I missed the last chunk of last season so I knew I didn’t have a lot behind me,” he said.

“I didn’t have any bad blood with anyone at Melbourne and I loved playing there.

“I love how they go about it and I was excited about the fact Twig (Jade Rawlings) had got the job as well, because I have a good relationship with him.”

Rawlings, Casey’s senior coach, said White is a terrific character who is universally loved around the club.

“He’s just a good person,” Rawlings told Melbourne Media.

“He’s generally a quieter type but I’ve seen him really grow as a person, probably without the pressure of being an AFL player anymore … but he’s very likeable, Whitey.

“We’ve had a great relationship over the past three years and I can see why he’s become so popular with the players for sure.”

While White is driven to improve his own game, he has also taken on the responsibility of being vice-captain for Casey this season.

“If I can help a few boys down here with my little bit of experience then I’ll be happy,” he said.

“Even though I am young, the older blokes around here like Jack Hutchins and Jimmy Munro encourage me to be a better leader and I think Twig has pushed me to be that person as well.

“I know the game plan as good, if not better than anyone, so it’s a bit easier to lead … and I think I’m pretty good at talking on the field and coming out of myself to direct and instruct.”

Rawlings has been impressed by White’s leadership qualities – on and off the field this season.

“He leads by his deeds and is able to help people along the way,” Rawlings said.

“He’s learned a lot in his three years as an AFL player. I think he’s realised that he does have a good grasp of footy and how we play it at Casey and Melbourne.

“He’s been able to really share that with his younger, new teammates, and they listen because what he says makes sense.”

Hutchins, Casey’s skipper, is enjoying the partnership he has developed with White since the former Demon returned to the club.

“He’s been fantastic right from the ‘get go’ since coming back,” Hutchins told Melbourne Media.

“Being in his position can be a bit of a bitter thing, but he’s just taken it in his stride and he’s been fantastic all pre-season and really stood up to lead this group. It’s really good to see.”

But one of the biggest adjustments for White this season has been dealing with the change in lifestyle now that he is no longer a full-time athlete.

“I do a bit of estimating and quoting for my old man … but it’s a lot tougher,” White said.

“I work from six (am) until two (pm), then go home for a little bit and then straight into training, so it’s not the greatest.

“It’s a bit easier at Melbourne when you end up getting two days off a week and that’s all you do – train, train, train – and then you can go home and switch off.

“At the moment, I’ve figured out why these boys are sometimes sorer than us when they rock up on game day.”

It’s a demanding balance for White – playing VFL football and working five days a week – but he admits one benefit is the lack of pressure on his performances now that he isn’t on an AFL-list.

“I don’t feel as much pressure because you’re not in the bubble permanently,” he said.

“I can just really enjoy playing here.”