Upon his return, he signed up for the Buffaloes football club in the Mount Isa AFL competition, something his father didn’t approve of.

White’s father was the coach of the Rovers when the family lived here 30 years ago.

The Buffaloes star marked his return by claiming the 2014 Cargill medal on Saturday night at the Mount Isa Irish Club.

The award recognises the best and fairest player in the Mount Isa AFL competition across the 16 rounds.

“Winning the Cargill medal was something that I did not expect, especially considering I only played 10 games throughout the season and didn’t train as often as I would have liked because of work,” White said.

“But playing footy with a great bunch of blokes made me play some of my best footy this season.

“Winning the Cargill was just the cherry on top for an enjoyable season for me.”

But the journey to the Buffaloes has been a long one for the 31-year-old, despite being born here in 1983.

“I first started playing AFL at the age of seven at Reynella East Primary School in South Australia,” White said.

“Because my brother and all my mates were playing, I thought I’d have a go and fell in love with them game.”

“There is no feeling like the nerves you get upon arrival to the ground before a big game.”

Since then, White has played for four junior clubs; Reynella East, Riverton FC (two years), Myponga FC (one year) and McLaren Eagles FC (three years).

Once he reached senior level, White moved around three states, seeing home play for McLaren Eagles FC (three years), North Shore Jets (one year), Maroochydore (six years), Tooradin FC (two years) and Elsternwick Amateurs (one year) before returning to the town of his birth.

“I’ve been around the traps but my highest achievement is winning the premiership in 2003 with the McLaren Eagles,” White said.

“That premiership and my four league best and fairest medals will always hold a place in my heart.”

White credits his success to his family, who have always put themselves out to help his footballing career.

Idolising Kangaroos legend Wayne Carey as a junior, White says he relishes in the competition that the AFL presents.

“Carey had it all on the footy field – the amazing marks, the great goals and the extraordinary leadership as a captain,” he said.

“Although I didn’t style my game on anyone, Carey ingrained the importance of going hard into every challenge.’’

With the Buffaloes eliminated in heart-breaking circumstances against the Rovers last weekend, White believes this year’s surprises packet Lake Nash will take out the title.

“Nashies would have to be my pick for the flag because if you can’t contain Jamison Billy’s influence, you’re going to be in trouble,” he said.

“I think Lake Nash will face off against Tigers in the final, and defeat them by 16 points, in a hard-fought match.

“But good luck to all three sides (Rovers, Tigers and Yung Guns) left in the finals because anything can happen in finals’ footy.”