Being a lifelong Richmond fan will give special meaning to Matt White when he runs out for 100th AFL game on Sunday, seven years after making his senior debut.

Last year, White managed only seven senior matches, but he has blossomed - predominantly in the sub's role - in 2013, playing 10 senior games, including the last eight in succession.

It has been a colourful journey for the 26-year-old, who has averaged 13 games per year since being drafted to Tigerland in the 2006 AFL Pre-Season Draft.

"Coming from a Richmond family, I'm pretty happy to be playing 100 games," he said.

"For a while it didn't look like I was going to get there, and a lot of hard work over the last 18 months cemented a spot, so it's nice to be getting to that milestone."

White said a stint with Richmond's VFL affiliate Coburg last season had reignited his love of the game.

"I think going back to Coburg last year, and almost learning how to play footy again, was good, because it brought me back into the midfield," he said.

"I was able to run my own race down there, and it gave me a lot of confidence to play the way I've been playing, with a lot of run and carry and having shots on goal from outside 50."

“It was re-finding my footy as well.  Being on the outer, I wasn’t a happy person around the Club, and I went back there and played good footy and then got my opportunity at the end of last year.

“I’ve had to bide my time with some good players this year.  Unfortunately for Knighter (Chris Knights), his knee went, and that was the opening for me.

“I had to take it for what it was worth, and I’m just going to run with it now.”