ALTHOUGH he set the bar high with a five-goal performance on debut for Collingwood, Jesse White is not about to get comfortable.
He knows each audition to play the supporting role to the Magpies' star forward Travis Cloke is equally important at this time of the season.
That's because Quinten Lynch – who lost form in the second half of 2013 – is breathing down his neck while Magpies coach Nathan Buckley has said he sees All Australian defender Ben Reid playing forward more often this year after a couple of successful cameos last season.
"[There is a] bit of pressure there for spots. When guys like that are playing well you always feel like you are on the toes," White said at Collingwood's community camp in Kinglake.
White understands what it's like to fight for a spot inside 50. It was only in the second half of last season that White secured a permanent spot up forward for the Swans.
His six years at the club had been up and down. He had almost left the Swans at the end of 2012 as part of a Kurt Tippett trade and then finally departed at the end of last season as Lance Franklin arrived harbourside.
He departed with good credentials after putting in a solid season with 20 goals in 15 games and a couple of good finals performances.
It took pick No.44 in the NAB AFL Draft for the Magpies to secure White, who kicked 73 goals in 71 games with the Swans.
The Magpies are hoping he can provide energy up forward and take some of the focus from Cloke, who attracted 39.4 per cent of Collingwood kicks to a forward target in 2013.
White thinks he is well suited to that role and his performance against Geelong has given every reason for optimism.
"I can be up the ground or I can play deep and I am really looking forward to playing with Clokey," White said.
His straight kicking will be a bonus too, alongside the less reliable Cloke. White kicked 20.12 in 2013 and has kicked 73.48 in his career. By contrast Cloke kicked 68.51 and missed some gettable chances.
It all adds up to a combination with potential but it's early days. It's also not the only option available to Buckley.
White said the opposition would determine whether the Magpies take a two or three tall set-up into games during 2014.
But that is the least of his worries. Right now he is aware there are plenty of areas he needs to improve.
"[I'd] to try to improve my defensive game as the AFL game is getting faster and faster," White said.
