Jeff White
This is about the Australian footballer. For the American musician, see Jeff White (musician).Jeffrey Newman White (born
February 19,
1977) is an
Australian rules footballer.
Making his debut in 1995 with the
Fremantle Dockers, he was drafted with the number 1 pick in the 1994
AFL Draft. He went on to play 32 games and kick 18 goals with the Dockers between 1995 and 1997, before being traded back to his home state of Victoria and playing for the
Melbourne Demons. To the end of 2005, he has played 175 games with the Demons, for a career total of 207 games.
Jeff White, classified as a mobile
ruckman, is known as a consistent modern exponent of the
specky (or spectacular mark), preferring to take chest marks high over packs. He has been nominated on several occasions for the
Mark of the Year, but has never won the award.
In 2005, he was involved in a horrific on-field incident with
Geelong's
Steven King. As King took a fresh air shot he collected White's face at full swing, causing facial injuries that required surgery and steel plates. Despite the severity of the incident, it was viewed as an accident by the AFL tribunal.
White has cemented his reputation as one of the most prominent ruckman in the AFL with consistent displays for the Demons over the last few seasons. His kicking accuracy is of particular note for a ruckman. White has been an integral part of Melbourne's strong 2006 form, seeing the team win six out of seven games up to June. Wearing the number 34 guernsey White will be hoping he can propel the Melbourne side into its second Grand Final in seven years, after losing the 2000 decider to Essendon.
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