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

[swaeney]

Thanks for your concern. Unfortunately I couldn't care less for your opinion. I get bored at work and this passes the time, watching sheffield shield and and debating with morons.

How could one possibly get bored of collecting trolleys?

 

[CharlieMortdecai]

Sorry, couldn't resist ... You debate with yourself?

He debates with the masses ...

 

[kool kangas]

Try him as a small forward. RHJ becomes sub Stephens goes into the 22 and Wilphill goes to the forward line. He's not quick but his disposal could help Larkey, Darling and co get the ball easier than they have been.

 

[Chadwiko]

We don't need a replacement Will, we need to axe his role. He is currently playing as a sixth inside mid. This is an unnecessary role created purely to give him a chance.

Sorry, I disagree with this.

By this logic, we don't have a spot on our list for George Wardlaw when he's back from injury? Will is basically playing the Wardlaw role at the moment.

Are you arguing we don't have a spot for Wardlaw?

 

[shinboner magic]

His management fuxked up by not taking the reported 2 yr deal from the cats.

With Parker coming in and fos the likely draftee - it was only going to get harder to break into the team.

 

[Sillygit]

Don't make me...lol

Sorry, I disagree with this.

By this logic, we don't have a spot on our list for George Wardlaw when he's back from injury? Will is basically playing the Wardlaw role at the moment.

Are you arguing we don't have a spot for Wardlaw?

That's how i read it as well. Not sure why that's laughable.

 

[Themanbun]

That's how i read it as well. Not sure why that's laughable.

It's me taking the piss out of myself for suggesting during the pre season that Wardlaw might have to spend a bit of time in the VFL given our glut of midfielders

 

[perplexed]

Sorry, I disagree with this.

By this logic, we don't have a spot on our list for George Wardlaw when he's back from injury? Will is basically playing the Wardlaw role at the moment.

Are you arguing we don't have a spot for Wardlaw?

Obviously not. Will doesn't play anything like George.

When George is back I think we should push Tom out of the centre square and we run a five man rotation in there: Luke, Luke, Jy, Harry and George. Tom does his best work in transition and is mostly ineffective at centre bounces - the Melbourne game being the obvious exception. We want our best players spending as much time as possible in the middle learning each other's games. Six is too many. Especially if one (Will) can't really contribute anywhere else.

 

[King Corey]

His management fuxked up by not taking the reported 2 yr deal from the cats.

With Parker coming in and fos the likely draftee - it was only going to get harder to break into the team.

Is Geelong 2 years actually a thing?

 

[Event Horizon]

His management fuxked up by not taking the reported 2 yr deal from the cats.

With Parker coming in and fos the likely draftee - it was only going to get harder to break into the team.

He wouldn't get a game at Geelong

 

[Chadwiko]

Obviously not. Will doesn't play anything like George.

When George is back I think we should push Tom out of the centre square and we run a five man rotation in there: Luke, Luke, Jy, Harry and George. Tom does his best work in transition and is mostly ineffective at centre bounces - the Melbourne game being the obvious exception. We want our best players spending as much time as possible in the middle learning each other's games. Six is too many. Especially if one (Will) can't really contribute anywhere else.

Fair enough. I disagree, but fair enough.

 

[The Dingrel]

It gives him a clearly defined role. Someone mentioned it over the weekend and I jumped on it - because Caleb Daniel will wreck us defensively and coming out of the backline.

Funnily enough, I raised this very idea in this forum last year when we were looking to give up our second round pick for Caleb Daniel. The idea was rubbished as WP's kicking, disposal, and decision making is not in the same stratosphere as Caleb's apparently. Still think its a good idea by the way, what's done is done with Caleb. My view of him then and now is unchanged, elite disposal and hitting short targets, but that goes down hill pretty quickly under pressure. No reason why WP can't accumulate possessions playing the same role.

But I think everyone needs to stay calm re Will. 3 games sample size in 2025, 2 of which he was subbed out, and 1 where the whole team really underperformed based on some really good pressure by an inform Adelaide on their home deck. He has played his role, done ok, and without anyone really banging the door down in the VFL, needs every opportunity to prove himself at least until Wardlaw is fit and firing and or someone else puts their name up in lights.

 

[TruRoo]

Funnily enough, I raised this very idea in this forum last year when we were looking to give up our second round pick for Caleb Daniel. The idea was rubbished as WP's kicking, disposal, and decision making is not in the same stratosphere as Caleb's apparently. Still think its a good idea by the way, what's done is done with Caleb. My view of him then and now is unchanged, elite disposal and hitting short targets, but that goes down hill pretty quickly under pressure. No reason why WP can't accumulate possessions playing the same role.

I was right on board with CD as a recruit because of what you said but yes I can see now how quickly he goes to shit if there's pressure or not enough options for him to pick out.

WP might not have it all but I think he'd be more accountable than Caleb is.

 

[ferball]

Doesn't matter how good your decision making is if no one works hard enough to create space.

 

[TruRoo]

Doesn't matter how good your decision making is if no one works hard enough to create space.

At least in the modern game players kick long for metres gained and back teammates to create a stoppage.


I'm sure Wiphi has just as much capability as Caleb to shin a helicopter punt 35m down the line as a last resort.

 

[hotchilli]

Try him as a small forward. RHJ becomes sub Stephens goes into the 22 and Wilphill goes to the forward line. He's not quick but his disposal could help Larkey, Darling and co get the ball easier than they have been.

RHJ has been playing up on a wing though.

 

[Dinkers]

I think the best thing for the team is to keep playing him. If he plays every week and by late June is still posting numbers below expectation we can reassess.

Conversely some players need a steady run of secure games without showing that much then suddenly "surprise" with a significant jump in quality.

Good grief KC what is it you want to reassess. His lack of pace , his fumbly ways, his inability to kick over a jam tin. Lack of 2 way running.

Man he's done, he is chaff to the wheat we desire. We play Wil we play one short.

Now if we're winning it would be hard to argue. But we have spent years losing and there's reasons for that.

As soon as George is back Wil will be dropped. I was listening to the radio and they mentioned how run is Numero Uno in today's game.

 

[chubbspeterson]

I’d like to see what Urquhart offers in his role.

Way too early. Hasn't done enough in the VFL to warrant the call up and is still learning the role details.
I think he won't get a look in until next year or perhaps thrown in for a late season taste game.

 

[chubbspeterson]

Good grief KC what is it you want to reassess. His lack of pace , his fumbly ways, his inability to kick over a jam tin. Lack of 2 way running.

Man he's done, he is chaff to the wheat we desire. We play Wil we play one short.

Now if we're winning it would be hard to argue. But we have spent years losing and there's reasons for that.

As soon as George is back Wil will be dropped. I was listening to the radio and they mentioned how run is Numero Uno in today's game.

I'm a fan of Will's and hoped he'd get a clear run at it and deliver more than what he has this year.
It's sad, but it's becoming clearer he doesn't have the physical tools and transition running/speed required.
And once Wardlaw is back it's not really a question as to him coming out of the side.
We'll see how he finishes the year, but we'd be better off picking up someone with more height/size and running power in the draft, whether it be a young draftee or mature VFL recruit.

 

[Frank Thring]

Try him as a small forward. RHJ becomes sub Stephens goes into the 22 and Wilphill goes to the forward line. He's not quick but his disposal could help Larkey, Darling and co get the ball easier than they have been.

Doesn't have the agility or speed to play small forward. He's a pure centreman and doesn't have the tank to play there either.

 

[kool kangas]

Doesn't have the agility or speed to play small forward. He's a pure centreman and doesn't have the tank to play there either.

OH MAN DONE HIT ME WITH THOSE NEGATIVE WAVES SO EARLY IN THE MORNING..

 

[DocSholl]

There isn't really a position on the ground you can play without a tank in modern footy.

 

[Moti]

Too many slowish inside mids right now, it is just that Will is last in the pecking order. We need some more speed and agility should be the lesson from Saturday.

 

[Dinkers]

Too many slowish inside mids right now, it is just that Will is last in the pecking order. We need some more speed and agility should be the lesson from Saturday.

Read that originally as ' Jewish" fyi, as was about to launch abuse in your general direction

 

[Chadwiko]