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

[Tas]

I loved his game, it was interesting Clarko comparing him to Stevo and his pathway, could have said the same thing about Simpson and Rawlings. You need a point of difference, when you have someone like LDU and Wardlaw as teammates then what do you bring to the table which will make you an integral part of the core team.

I am really happy for him, he is a really smart user of the ball, doesn't try to do too much. He reminds of me of Cunnington, who was arguably our best kick inside the forward 50 because he knew how to weigh his kicks to advantage in congested space.

 

[swaeney]

I loved his game, it was interesting Clarko comparing him to Stevo and his pathway, could have said the same thing about Simpson and Rawlings. You need a point of difference, when you have someone like LDU and Wardlaw as teammates then what do you bring to the table which will make you an integral part of the core team.

I am really happy for him, he is a really smart user of the ball, doesn't try to do too much. He reminds of me of Cunnington, who was arguably our best kick inside the forward 50 because he knew how to weigh his kicks to advantage in congested space.

Be careful mentioning the two in the same sentence. Epictetus will jump down your throat.

 

[shinboner magic]

another great lockdown job and got involved when we had the ball. As mentioned by others he’ll only improve with games and confidence.

Thinking in this time of hardship for Junk yard the muppet

 

[RossHenshaw]

I loved his game, it was interesting Clarko comparing him to Stevo and his pathway, could have said the same thing about Simpson and Rawlings. You need a point of difference, when you have someone like LDU and Wardlaw as teammates then what do you bring to the table which will make you an integral part of the core team.

I am really happy for him, he is a really smart user of the ball, doesn't try to do too much. He reminds of me of Cunnington, who was arguably our best kick inside the forward 50 because he knew how to weigh his kicks to advantage in congested space.

Yes correct . I forgot when I mentioned the comparison to Stevos past as a tagger but yes Simpson also was a tagger & quite frankly I only really remember Rawlings as being an outright pain in the butt get under your skin & opposition hated tagger for us

 

[giantroo]

 

[Colby Cheer Squad]

It's almost as if the coaches knew what they were doing by having him play a defensive midfield role in the VFL rather than hunt the ball. I seem to recall some people here openly mocking that reasoning just a couple of months ago. I don't see them in here today.

 

[Fart Cummings]

whos he go to next week? Is Libba playing?

 

[Jimmac31]

Our last elite tagger was Ben Jacobs. And once he was playing on the best players, he managed to flip the narrative and collect high disposal counts and the occasional goal.

I'm liking this plan for Will. Keep playing him on the opposition's best mid. Then eventually he'll not only limit their influence but learn to get on top an start influencing games himself.

 

[fusion]

Keep giving him games. I think this role will help build his confidence. Seeing him next to Oliver shows how small he is, and he will find it tough to compete in a one on one marking contest (happened at least once yesterday).

Trading him away for a 3rd rounder isn't good value, so I think we are better off finding out whether he's up to it, and if in 12-24+ months he proves he isn't, no one is trading for him and we get nothing. But pick #50+ isn't going to help us either.

 

[RooDave]

Its fairly obvious that we've found an elite shutdown run with stopper. He uses the footy well when he gets it and it genuinely looks like this role suits him.

The million dollar question is whether WhilPhil believes this role is for him or whether he'll look for greener pastures elsewhere.

 

[Friday Night Lights]

It wasn’t even that he was just simply playing tight on Oliver. He’s already playing the niggling psychological games to put these guys off. Just a smart footballer who is taking this new role very seriously for the benefit of both the team and himself.

 

[leighlee13]

This is excellent.

Will Phil indicating he is invested in this club and without actually saying the words, doesn't want to go anywhere.

 

[The Warlord]

What about his Brownlow vote again Gold Coast in Round 23 hur hur.

Lot of folks got found out in the shit run at the start of the year.

 

[Kanga Glory]

reckon Clarko is making him earn his spot, knows he can play but thinks he needs to work harder.

 

[Merlin007]

If he keeps this up I reckon he might have stamped lazzaros papers. Had those 2 fighting for a spot on the list

I think this is spot on. List spots will be tight at the end of the year with players like Taylor, who looked to be on the way out, now showing some form. It leaves anyone playing in the 2s vulnerable, and while Lazzaro might have the tank, Phillips is much the more skilful (his neat F50 entry on his left foot being a case in point last night).

 

[Ether]

He CaNt RuN, He HaS nO AfL ElItE tRaItS

This is it. Composed. Has footy smarts. Most of our players would have thrown that onto the boot and it would have been cleared easily. You could train Will's fitness to Laz' level. You can't train Laz' brain to Will's level.

 

[gokangas]

WhiPhi impressed again. Seems a confidence player and he is certainly playing with renewed vigour.

 

[Carey4life]

This is it. Composed. Has footy smarts. Most of our players would have thrown that onto the boot and it would have been cleared easily. You could train Will's fitness to Laz' level. You can't train Laz' brain to Will's level.

At this stage, it's hard to train laz's skills to wills level either ...

 

[Junk yard]

another great lockdown job and got involved when we had the ball. As mentioned by others he’ll only improve with games and confidence.

Thinking in this time of hardship for Junk yard the muppet

Oliver never needed a tag. He did do a good job on him but do you think he'd stop 2022 Oliver? Certainly not hardship, this time last year he played two good games in a row and you were one of the fools saying he's our next captain!!!! Real test will be against the bont.

 

[Fart Cummings]

It wasn’t even that he was just simply playing tight on Oliver. He’s already playing the niggling psychological games to put these guys off. Just a smart footballer who is taking this new role very seriously for the benefit of both the team and himself.

He definetly knoww how to get under plays skins, the little shoulder bump on Gawn when Ford launched over him is an example! Iv also seen him rub a few heads and chirp at players

 

[swaeney]

Oliver never needed a tag. He did do a good job on him but do you think he'd stop 2022 Oliver? Certainly not hardship, this time last year he played two good games in a row and you were one of the fools saying he's our next captain!!!! Real test will be against the bont.

WilPhil can’t run and his disposal is sloppy… Real test would be against the best midfielder in the comp, Daicos….oh wait

 

[nelroo]

Oliver never needed a tag. He did do a good job on him but do you think he'd stop 2022 Oliver? Certainly not hardship, this time last year he played two good games in a row and you were one of the fools saying he's our next captain!!!! Real test will be against the bont.

I don’t think you can play him on the Bont. Bont is on another level with his overhead ability. Libba or Macrae

 

[Junk yard]

I don’t think you can play him on the Bont. Bont is on another level with his overhead ability. Libba or Macrae

Do we tag just for the sake of tagging? Powell's losing midfield minutes. What do we do next year? Another pre season into Powell, Colby and Duursma all wanting minutes in the middle.

 

[Junk yard]

WilPhil can’t run and his disposal is sloppy… Real test would be against the best midfielder in the comp, Daicos….oh wait

Yep he did half a job.

 

[Junk yard]

WilPhil can’t run and his disposal is sloppy… Real test would be against the best midfielder in the comp, Daicos….oh wait

He proved he can't run against Daicos? Or did you switch off after half time?