Player Watch #29: Will Phillips - tags N.Daicos vs Collingwood - subbed off at 3/4 time??

[zoomba23]

He has an unique running style. Reminds me of Michael Johnson (USA Olympian). Doesn’t have much movement in his body…the legs just pump through.

I reckon this comparison's been made upwards of thirteen times on here. And in the media too

 

[tazaa]

What is it now? 20 AFL games? So not even a full season yet.

Cool.

 

[Psicosis]

 

[Hardcore North]

Go you good thing Will. Serious glimpses being shown. Exciting.

 

[Tectonic]

Averages for both players at 20 years old

 

[Devington]

I'm very heartened that after people were prematurely putting the boot in after round 3 that he's quietly built himself into some form.

 

[Tectonic]

Obviously some extenuating factors wrt covid season for the above comparison, but he's going to be a player

 

[Themanbun]

Me assembling the WiPhi defence troupe.

Disassemble! He's got this himself.

 

[ferball]

View attachment 1662861


Averages for both players at 20 years old

In 2020 the games were 20% shorter tho.

 

[Tectonic]

In 2020 the games were 20% shorter tho.

Obviously some extenuating factors wrt covid season for the above comparison, but he's going to be a player

 

[Gasometer]

Least of our concerns

Gun

 

[Colby Cheer Squad]

He's going to relish going up against his former teammates Rowell and Anderson this week.

 

[marklovesbeer]

I’ve had my doubts like others, but he’s definitely building. All he needs is continuity, hopefully no more setbacks

Came on to write this exact thing.

 

[ferball]

Hadn't got that far yet.

I'm not disagreeing that he's a gun either.

They'd probably played similar amounts of games before the years in question and both players had interruptions in the preceding years as well. But LDU has nothing to compare with what Will's had to work thru, physically anyway. FWIW when we drafted Phillips I was actually relieved.

I don't expect him to push Jy out of the midfield but I can see them complimenting each other well.

 

[Psicosis]

He's building already with continuity, as is Powell.

Both need to just be given a run of games and the improvement will continue.

 

[shintemaster]

FWIW I'm a believer. I think this kid will be at worst a 200 game solid player.

I've thought this for a little while about Will that at AFL level unlike many players he doesn't necessarily have one single standout elite trait - what I do think he does have is that he has almost every single trait at a very good level, maybe not top 5% elite in any single attribute but a very, very even spread of attributes. I'm hoping with a season or so of continuity that translates into a player that is just a reliably consistent type that can do almost anything on the ground to a high standard. He's quick enough, motors (or will) motor to multiple contests, very clean hands, very neat kick, good at seeing his way through congestion, can kick a goal from set shot or snap. Haven't seen enough above his head to rate his marking at this point but he strikes me as a player that knows how to use his body so will be decent 1 on 1 in this space.

BTW I don't mean that as an insult and you can argue that being very good at 90% of footballing basics (as well as able to read the play) is an elite attribute in itself.

I think if he can keep building his fitness and can be that player that is just at the face of the contest more often than not he is a player you can plonk in there and allow your players with elite power / speed (LDU / hopefully Wardlaw) and those with creative step (Simpkin, Sheezel and hopefully Powell) to do their thing. I'm a big fan of players that can win it in close but have the disposal skill to be a threat so they don't have to give it off to get a clean clearance every single time.

I rate him and think he will be a gem with another season under his belt uninterrupted.

 

[Themanbun]

FWIW I'm a believer. I think this kid will be at worst a 200 game solid player.

I've thought this for a little while about Will that at AFL level unlike many players he doesn't necessarily have one single standout elite trait - what I do think he does have is that he has almost every single trait at a very good level, maybe not top 5% elite in any single attribute but a very, very even spread of attributes. I'm hoping with a season or so of continuity that translates into a player that is just a reliably consistent type that can do almost anything on the ground to a high standard. He's quick enough, motors (or will) motor to multiple contests, very clean hands, very neat kick, good at seeing his way through congestion, can kick a goal from set shot or snap. Haven't seen enough above his head to rate his marking at this point but he strikes me as a player that knows how to use his body so will be decent 1 on 1 in this space.

BTW I don't mean that as an insult and you can argue that being very good at 90% of footballing basics (as well as able to read the play) is an elite attribute in itself.

I think if he can keep building his fitness and can be that player that is just at the face of the contest more often than not he is a player you can plonk in there and allow your players with elite power / speed (LDU / hopefully Wardlaw) and those with creative step (Simpkin, Sheezel and hopefully Powell) to do their thing. I'm a big fan of players that can win it in close but have the disposal skill to be a threat so they don't have to give it off to get a clean clearance every single time.

I rate him and think he will be a gem with another season under his belt uninterrupted.

His voice and leadership is IMO elite. Not to be understated in structuring up around a contest or stoppage. Having someone who can organise is often the difference between a clean clearance or stopping a clean clearance. It's just not a flashy trait.

 

[shintemaster]

His voice and leadership is IMO elite. Not to be understated in structuring up around a contest or stoppage. Having someone who can organise is often the difference between a clean clearance or stopping a clean clearance. It's just not a flashy trait.

Yeah I agree. That's why I was at pains to point out that maybe it is harsh to say he doesn't have any obvious elite trait at AFL, probably more so no obvious physical elite trait (ie. blistering pace or height / size advantage). He has everything needed (including the drive) to be a very good player for a long time for mine.

Kind of the Derek Zoolander approach of being really, really, really, ridiculously good at almost everything football related.

 

[Roosurgence]

The issue for Will and the club is, that unfortunately having him and Cunnington in the same centre bounce doesn’t work, so who do they prioritise?

They just don’t gel well as they have a lot of similarities and not a lot of points of difference.

 

[Pres]

Beautiful bit of play at 0.57. Poetry in motion.

 

[The Nostradamus]

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

 

[shimaburnsgrieg]

Phillips looked very good in pre season - bog in a couple of match sims.

What you will get from WP is commitment to training, rehab and a thoroughly professional approach to his football.

What his ceiling is needs to play out - I think we have seen some really good progression this year so the signs are positive.

 

[R00StaR]

FWIW I'm a believer. I think this kid will be at worst a 200 game solid player.

I've thought this for a little while about Will that at AFL level unlike many players he doesn't necessarily have one single standout elite trait - what I do think he does have is that he has almost every single trait at a very good level, maybe not top 5% elite in any single attribute but a very, very even spread of attributes. I'm hoping with a season or so of continuity that translates into a player that is just a reliably consistent type that can do almost anything on the ground to a high standard. He's quick enough, motors (or will) motor to multiple contests, very clean hands, very neat kick, good at seeing his way through congestion, can kick a goal from set shot or snap. Haven't seen enough above his head to rate his marking at this point but he strikes me as a player that knows how to use his body so will be decent 1 on 1 in this space.

BTW I don't mean that as an insult and you can argue that being very good at 90% of footballing basics (as well as able to read the play) is an elite attribute in itself.

I think if he can keep building his fitness and can be that player that is just at the face of the contest more often than not he is a player you can plonk in there and allow your players with elite power / speed (LDU / hopefully Wardlaw) and those with creative step (Simpkin, Sheezel and hopefully Powell) to do their thing. I'm a big fan of players that can win it in close but have the disposal skill to be a threat so they don't have to give it off to get a clean clearance every single time.

I rate him and think he will be a gem with another season under his belt uninterrupted.

He's got elite hoover skills.

The 40 sec mark in the highlights pack above is exactly the type of play id envisioned will become almost a trademark for him. His low center of gravity style allows him to hit those contests low and with good pace, then has good hands and vison to feed out. While he didnt gain possession in this play he still got it going our way.

 

[shintemaster]

He's got elite hoover skills.

The 40 sec mark in the highlights pack above is exactly the type of play id envisioned will become almost a trademark for him. His low center of gravity style allows him to hit those contests low and with good pace, then has good hands and vison to feed out. While he didnt gain possession in this play he still got it going our way.

Agree.

I'm an unabashed fan, just trying to be somewhat cautious in my assessment. He's so far down the list of players I'm worried about not being worth a pick that it's not even funny. Will he be in the top 10 players at North this decade - who knows - but realistically even from a pick 3 anything more than being a capable best 22 player for a decade is about the most you can expect. Anything more is an absolute bonus as it is still based on development, injury and the changing nature of the game.