MITCH White will play his first match for the season, against the Sydney Swans at the MCG on Friday night, after he was elevated from the rookie to primary list on Thursday.

White has replaced injured utility Aaron vandenBerg, who is out for the rest of the season with a heel problem.  

vandenBerg has been sidelined since the second JLT Community Series match against Carlton at Casey Fields.

White made his AFL debut in Melbourne’s final round of the 2015 season – its 26-point win over GWS Giants at Etihad Stadium.

He played two more matches last year in rounds 16 and 17 against Fremantle and St Kilda respectively.

White’s start to 2017 was interrupted by an ankle injury, which forced him to miss the JLT Community Series/VFL practice matches and the opening two rounds of the AFL home and away season.

The 21-year-old has since played all but one VFL match this year, when he was sidelined with a thigh injury in mid-May.

He has been in fine form in the VFL and has earned praise from Casey coach Justin Plapp.

Last weekend, White had 25 disposals, five inside 50s, eight marks and three tackles in Casey’s win over the Box Hill Hawks last round.

Originally from Seaford/St Peter’s College/Dandenong Stingrays, White was selected by Melbourne in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft, held in November 2014.