Player Watch #29: Will Phillips [Part II] - Extends to End of 2025

[roo blitz]

Just another Phillips game. Nothing special. I think we have seen his best now so another mid range player that wont take us where we want to be. Unfortunately they are the facts. Nothing against him, its just the way it is. AFL footy sorts them out. Its the nature of the game

 

[Junk yard]

It seems there's no middle ground when judging Phillips. One corner has him as "shit" the other as "good".

Reality is, his game last last night was ok. Not great, not terrible.

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He had 11 possessions and was subbed. He wasn't tagging and can't run a game out. If we had an early injury we would be left a man down, there's no other club in the comp playing a midfielder like this. Only one bloke on here saying his game was good and I'm assuming he's related to Will.

 

[Junk yard]

Just another Phillips game. Nothing special. I think we have seen his best now so another mid range player that wont take us where we want to be. Unfortunately they are the facts. Nothing against him, its just the way it is. AFL footy sorts them out. Its the nature of the game

Had more CBA'S than Harry in the first half. We need to move on, our best player and best midfielder should not be starting on the flank to make way for Will.

 

[swaeney]

Had more CBA'S than Harry in the first half. We need to move on, our best player and best midfielder should not be starting on the flank to make way for Will.

Didn’t Will start on the bench?

 

[Junk yard]

Didn’t Will start on the bench?

Yeah. What's your point? He attended more centre bounces than Harry in the first half. Harry had 6 CBA's in the first half and 11 in the second when Will was subbed.

 

[shintemaster]

I'd have rather he ran the full game (or failed to) as that would answer the question more than a sub.

 

[Junk yard]

I'd have rather he ran the full game (or failed to) as that would answer the question more than a sub.

He answered it against west coast. He simply cant do it. He was running out games better in 23. Im not sure what's wrong and don't really care, we can't carry a bloke that can't run.

 

[Horizons_00]

Even though he did some nice things (chase down etc) needs to do way more. He surely knows he’s on the outer with being subbed again.

 

[Dee Snuts]

Stat sheet undersells the impact he had tonight. He was very good.

Bro your so predictable

 

[Sillygit]

Bro your so predictable

as opposed to anyone else in this thread?

 

[StiffArm]

Junk Yard has gone full Nostradamus... You never go full Nostradamus!

 

[Dinkers]

Was he wearing longer than normal shorts last night ?
Because he looked a foot shorter than usual .

I've stood next to him, he's a man mountain.

 

[hoffseason gains 01]

I was keen for him to get a good run at it while Wardlaw is out but I just don’t see the point of playing him.

Would personally rather play Colby in the guts for Will’s minutes (who seems a bit lost on the wing / hf) and play another traditional wingman or add a bit more height on the wing.

We do need an extractor but with or without him we dominated centre bounce and overall the clearance and contest game. Add some more structure and running/marking to the team instead.

 

[Themanbun]

Was he wearing longer than normal shorts last night ?
Because he looked a foot shorter than usual .

Honey! I shrunk the WAP

 

[Mixed Results]

With how we've built our list, our midfield has to be our strength.

Phillips did plenty of nice things yesterday, but ultimately, I feel like we're weakening our strongest line by playing him. His TOG suggests that his role in the team was superfluous, and each centre bounce he attends is one less for our other more talented midfielders.

He is the worst of our mids offensively, and unless he is tagging his defensive efforts don't warrant inclusion. He has plenty of AFL quality traits, but with how heavily we have invested in players like Sheezel, LDU, FOS, McKercher, Powell, Parker, Simpkin, and even Duursma, I don't see a future for him.

 

[DesertRoo]

Nah DR meant literal resting because they're unfit bro. Wires crossed I think.

Come on man, I’m not suggesting he can sit forward and crack a can, the kid needs to get k’s in the legs, he won’t get match fit by being subbed off.

 

[Themanbun]

Come on man, I’m not suggesting he can sit forward and crack a can, the kid needs to get k’s in the legs, he won’t get match fit by being subbed off.

I'm not saying you said that. I'm saying you seemed to imply there's a difference in how much running is expected of you in those roles, but I'm not sure there is anymore.

 

[DesertRoo]

I'm not saying you said that. I'm saying you seemed to imply there's a difference in how much running is expected of you in those roles, but I'm not sure there is anymore.

I was trying find a way we can get two very talented players match fit without getting into the har har har wap can’t run, unfortunately, he is in the same boat as Wardlaw. somehow the coaching staff need come up with a solution that gets these two guys playing afl, cause we’re not going to grow as a team if they spend half a year in the VFL or being subbed out early.

 

[shimaburnsgrieg]

I was keen for him to get a good run at it while Wardlaw is out but I just don’t see the point of playing him.

Would personally rather play Colby in the guts for Will’s minutes (who seems a bit lost on the wing / hf) and play another traditional wingman or add a bit more height on the wing.

We do need an extractor but with or without him we dominated centre bounce and overall the clearance and contest game. Add some more structure and running/marking to the team instead.

Agree with this - time to play Colby in the guts. Need the break away speed - second possession player who can run and carry. Was so clear last night.

 

[Themanbun]

I was trying find a way we can get two very talented players match fit without getting into the har har har wap can’t run, unfortunately, he is in the same boat as Wardlaw. somehow the coaching staff need come up with a solution that gets these two guys playing afl, cause we’re not going to grow as a team if they spend half a year in the VFL or being subbed out early.

Ah, okay. I personally don't want guys who aren't match fit playing in our forwardline, but each to their own.

 

[franjon]

Another early pick waste. Is it ever going to end.

 

[shintemaster]

He answered it against west coast. He simply cant do it. He was running out games better in 23. Im not sure what's wrong and don't really care, we can't carry a bloke that can't run.

Yes. You've said that multiple times. We get your opinion.

Agree with this - time to play Colby in the guts. Need the break away speed - second possession player who can run and carry. Was so clear last night.

It is early days, but what was clear to me is that Colby isn't ready for the physicality of a full mid role and it is questionable whether he has the commitment yet to defensive running as well. Based on 1 game - which is obviously a big call - I think we'd be best placed (today) with him off the HB line with smaller stints in the middle - obviously pressing up and licence to attack up the ground. Let him and Daniel provide a dual threat off HB.

Of course, it's just one game. He's learning a new role, they might prefer to stick with it for a while, accept the short term drop for the development in his apparent long term position or even just not be that worried off one showing.

 

[Event Horizon]

It seems there's no middle ground when judging Phillips. One corner has him as "shit" the other as "good".

Reality is, his game last last night was ok. Not great, not terrible.

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Agreed. But with those stats he won't be able to hold his spot for long. May get another couple of games, but simply has to play better or he will be dropped.

 

[Event Horizon]

Yes. You've said that multiple times. We get your opinion.



It is early days, but what was clear to me is that Colby isn't ready for the physicality of a full mid role and it is questionable whether he has the commitment yet to defensive running as well. Based on 1 game - which is obviously a big call - I think we'd be best placed with him off the HB line with small stints in there still. Let him and Daniel provide a dual threat off HB.

Of course, it's just one game.

I don't want him near the backline as his mistakes in that part of the ground are very costly

 

[Passmore]

Agreed. But with those stats he won't be able to hold his spot for long. May get another couple of games, but simply has to play better or he will be dropped.

I agree.

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