Russell Island identity Gary (Whitey’) White is a pretty chuffed grandfather at the present time
The keen Russell Island Bowls Club member has just learned his 18-year old grandson, Kalani White, has been recruited by leading AFL club the Melbourne Demons.
It is no surprise that Kalani has been scooped up in the AFL, given that he is a ‘gun’ teen prodigy who happens to stand at tree-topping 6’8” tall.
For those islanders who are AFL fans, that height is just one inch shorter than the current tallest player in AFL, Melbourne captain Max Gawn, who stands at 6’9”
With Gawn in the ‘twilight’ of his career, it is no surprise the Demons have ‘targeted’ Kalani.
Many islanders have already met Kalani.
He has visited the islands to visit his grandfather, particularly visiting the Russell Island Bowls Club, on several occasions.
Gary White has literally started an AFL ‘dynasty’.
His son Jeff White is also another tall timber who at 6’5” played an amazing 265 games at the top level in the AFL representing Fremantle earlier, but mostly the Melbourne Demons.
Ironically, Kalani was attached to the Suns Academy on the Gold Coast, but under the father-son AFL rule, he was able to be snapped up by the Melbourne Football Club,
Clearly Melbourne has had their eye on the young skyscraper for some time.
Dad Jeff played for the Demons wearing the No 34 jumper.
When he finished his long career, the club ‘retired’ the No 34 jumper.
It will now be resurrected when Kalani dons the famous number in the 2026 season.
