While White was among Carlton's best in Sunday's narrow loss to West Coast at the MCG, Weitering's three contested marks were as many as any player on the ground. Despite suffering a corked shin early in the match, Weitering was switched from defence to the forward line, and kicked the first two goals of his career in the second half as the Blues almost clinched an unlikely win.

White, 28, has moved from end to end this year, as he has for most of his career. The West Australian says he is comfortable as a utility for coach Brendon Bolton.

"[I'm] just keeping an open mind. There's different challenges every week," White said.

"I realise there's going to be different times I'm going to have to go forward if they want to play Weiters back."

Bolton was circumspect on Sunday about using Weitering as a forward option so early in his career. "In time, we want our players to play multiple positions, but I think when you're learning a craft you've got to get established in a position first and foremost," Bolton said.

There are times when Weitering and White will co-exist down the back, and White praised the youngster after the match. "I think everyone can see how composed he is – 18 years old, he's got some real composure. A couple of the clunks he took," White said.

He said the Blues' more experienced defenders could help Weitering by urging him to take marks rather than spoil. "I think you just keep encouraging him to go for his marks. The more confident he feels each week, the better he's going to play.

"We can be really inclusive as a backline, make him feel really welcome, so I feel like we're really doing that and he's reaping the benefits."

While the defeat on Sunday was Carlton's fifth in a row, White said the result would give them confidence ahead of a difficult fortnight in which they face Sydney (SCG) and Hawthorn (Aurora Stadium).

"You've got to take the positive out of this and know that [West Coast] were grand finalists last year. We can take on those guys, we can obviously push it with the likes of Sydney and Hawthorn."

And while disappointed they fell short against the Eagles, White said the Blues (6-10) could take plenty from the game. "The third quarter really cost us, a lot of our unpressured turnovers went for goals. In saying that our fight to the end was really positive.

"We've got a lot of young guys, a lot of enthusiasm in those young guys. When the game's on the line they can provide a real spark. I thought Jack [Silvagni] and Charlie [Curnow] really did that in the last quarter. Even Weiters kicked a couple of goals, so you can never underestimate the enthusiasm from the younger guys."

Carlton will have at least one more forward option this week with Levi Casboult available after serving a one-match suspension. Bolton said on Sunday that Andrew Walker was unlikely to face the Swans as he recovers from a knee injury, but that the Blues would endeavour to have the forward available.