Will Phillips (footballer)

Will Phillips (born 22 May 2002) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for North Melbourne in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was recruited by North Melbourne with the 3rd draft pick in the 2020 AFL draft.[1][2][3]

Will Phillips
Personal information
Full name William Phillips
Date of birth (2002-05-22) 22 May 2002
Original team(s) Oakleigh Chargers (NAB League)/Caulfield Grammar
Draft No. 3, 2020 AFL draft, North Melbourne
Debut 2 April 2021, North Melbourne vs. Western Bulldogs, at Docklands Stadium
Height 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight 80 kg (176 lb)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current club North Melbourne
Number 29
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2021– North Melbourne 16 (3)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 13, 2022.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early football

Phillips began his junior career playing for the Beverley Hills Football Club in the Yarra Junior Football League, where he played over 100 games from the Auskick to the Under 15s division.[4] He played school football for his school, Caulfield Grammar School, and was named as a co-captain of the school in his senior year.[5] 2018 saw Phillips take out the most valuable player award in the AFL Under 16 championships.[6] Phillips played for the Oakleigh Chargers in the NAB League in 2018 and 2019, playing a total of 15 games over the two seasons.[7] He averaged 22 disposals in his 2019 season,[8] and played a vital part in their grand final win, kicking 2 goals.[9]

AFL career

Phillips debuted for North Melbourne in the team's loss to the Western Bulldogs in the 3rd round of the 2021 AFL season. On debut, Phillips was relatively quiet, collecting 9 disposals, 2 marks and 2 tackles.[10]

Phillips did not play at AFL level in 2022 due to glandular fever, and only managed 3 VFL games.[11]

Phillips returned in the 1st round of the 2023 season as the substitute in North Melbourne's win over West Coast, coming on to the field in the 1st quarter to replace ruckman Tristan Xerri.[12] In round 3, Phillips was selected in the starting team for his first full game of the season.[13] In an appearance on the Sunday Footy Show in April, Phillips commented on the booing of former teammate Jason Horne-Francis by AFL fans, stating "it's probably unfair for other teams to do that, but understandable for North Melbourne fans".[14] He polled AFL Coaches' Association Champion Player of the Year Award for his 27 disposal, 8 clearance game against Essendon in Round 12, and ultimately played 16 games for the year.[15]

Statistics
Statistics are correct to the end of round 3, 2021.[16]
Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2021 North Melbourne 291634718115231330.190.254.445.069.51.942.06
2022 North Melbourne 29000000000.00.000000
2023 North Melbourne 29163211318830128660.190.137.0611.7518.811.754.13
Career 32 6 6 184 269 453 59 99 0.19 0.19 5.75 8.41 14.16 1.84 3.09

References
  1. Robinson, Chris; Massey, Kate (9 December 2020). "AFL Draft 2020: Logan McDonald heads to Sydney with Pick 4, Denver Grainger-Barras goes to Hawthorn". The West Australian. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  2. "AFL Draft 2020: Pick-by-pick". The Age. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  3. Laughton, Max; Waterworth, Ben; Balmer, Matt (10 December 2020). "AFL Draft wrap: Buddy clone goes at Pick 1; Trades galore amid Pies' golden night". Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  4. "Will Phillips hops into Round 3 as he makes his Roos debut". YJFL Media. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  5. "AFL Draft Picks". Caulfield Grammar School. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  6. Williams, Peter (19 September 2019). "Comprehensive 2019 NAB League Grand Final Preview". Aussie Rules Draft Central. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  7. "Will Phillips". Aussie Rules Draft Central. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  8. "Draft Prospects - Will Phillips". AFL Media. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  9. Williams, Peter (21 September 2019). "Rowell masterclass leads Oakleigh to a dominant premiership". Aussie Rules Draft Central. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  10. "North Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs - Player Stats". AFLTables. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  11. Macquire, Luke (17 January 2023). "Promising midfielder 'optimistic' about year ahead". NMFC.com.au. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  12. Welsh, Sophie (28 March 2023). "AFL R1 match report: Souv's six gets new era off to dream start". NMFC.com.au. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  13. MacQuire, Luke (30 March 2023). "AFL R3 team: Emerging mid replaces co-captain". NMFC.com.au. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  14. McKern, James (30 April 2023). "North Melbourne player green lights fans booing Jason Horne-Francis". News.com.au. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  15. NMFC Media (6 June 2023). "AFL R12 coaches' votes: Roos duo shine against Bombers". NMFC.com.au. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  16. "Will Phillips". AFLTables. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
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