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

[swaeney]

If there’s someone else in the magoos jumping up for a shot then get him in. WP not up to standard

 

[King Corey]

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.

 

[Spud11]

Was one/am one of his biggest fans.Really good ball user & still believe he has elite vision, despite what others think. Great clubman, sort of guy that brings a solid culture to the team but not sure he’ll be the player we thought he’d be. Just can’t carry guys like we have in the past getting sub 20 disposals when he needed to step up & do more on the weekend.
Not off him but it’s going to be a long road back.

I’m still one of his biggest fans but was largely unsighted and barely effective vs the Crows

 

[Spud11]

At half time I was happy that at least he cracked in when others weren't. But after half time he disappeared and that is unacceptable.

Maybe we should do as someone suggested and try to play him in the Caleb Daniel role. At least he'll defend - which the helmeted crab struggles to do. Maybe try to put Daniel on the forward flank where at least his 35m mungs aren't giving our opponents possession 60 metres from their goal.

I like this idea. I could see Phillips thrive there

 

[TruRoo]

I like this idea. I could see Phillips thrive there

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.

 

[shintemaster]

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.

Agree. For now we don't have another ready made replacement. Probably a bit lucky that VFL start is so disjointed though as other players might struggle to make a claim.

A bit of a pity that Wardlaw went down before season start as I honestly think Phillips was in anyway and Wardlaw's intense speed, power and pressure makes space for other players (including Will). Now I think the likelihood is that Wardlaw comes into his role unless another player falls away.

Agree though, not much to lose in the interim. I think he holds his spot - for now - and at least both he and us can say we gave each other a fair go. It's a pity as he does some good work, neat with the ball at times when others often panic, clean kick, thinks ahead and through traffic but just can't seem to stay involved over 4 quarters at the moment.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

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

 

[BlueandWhiteinmyBlood]

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

Probably a little while off I would say.

 

[shintemaster]

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

Too soon as the VFL fixture means he will struggle to stake a claim for another 5-6 weeks. I don't disagree with the thinking, but the fixture means it won't happen IMO.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Too soon as the VFL fixture means he will struggle to stake a claim for another 5-6 weeks. I don't disagree with the thinking, but the fixture means it won't happen IMO.

Yeah, the VFL fixture is complete dogshit.

 

[Poopybum22]

At half time I thought he was one of our best mids. Didn’t touch it much but atleast he converted disposals cleanly.

But 12 disposals as a midfielder will never be enough. He needs to demonstrate an ability to accumulate. Out of his past 14 games, he has only reached 20 disposals once. In his defence he has been subbed out on 4 of those occasions but that was due to performance and fitness.

I’d love to see him make it but I don’t think there’s a place for him. If Wardlaw was fit he would be in the VFL.

The speed and height is not there.

 

[perplexed]

Agree. For now we don't have another ready made replacement.

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. We need to get Harry and Jy into the middle for longer. They should take his midfield time and we should replace him with the best outside ball carrier in the twos to improve our transition. Slim pickings I know. Hardeman?

 

[Sillygit]

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. We need to get Harry and Jy into the middle for longer. They should take his midfield time and we should replace him with the best outside ball carrier in the twos to improve our transition. Slim pickings I know. Hardeman?

and so where does wardlaw play?

 

[bwinnmforevr]

I thought he was tagging / playing a defensive run with role in the first half. Was unsighted in the second half. I see something there but he needs at least 18 to 20 possies now and eventually 20 to 25. Hope he makes it.

On SM-A156E using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Merlin007]

Unfortunately the heat maps by quarter have been taken done on the AFL site, but when I looked, Phillips had 3 touches in the second half, all of them around the centre circle

 

[Blightys Barrel]

Statistics and damm lies and all that. Here goes in any case

1. Rd 66 mins / 11 at 91% DE for a possession every 6 mins. Ist half 8 possessions.
2. Rd 72 mins / 10 at 80% DE for a possession every 7.2 mins. 1st half 7 possessions
3. Rd 90 mins / 12 at 75% DE for a possession every 7.5 mins. 1st half 9 possessions.

The sub outs in the first 2 rounds put the 1st half % of total possessions out of skew. But the issue here looks to be running out the game in the 2nd half and staying involved for all QTRs. Would love to see the GPS stats for overall distance covered and number of sprints etc. Maybe this is his ceiling 5 years into the system? Perhaps pass him Dank’s burner phone to see if he has any suggestions to lift his endurance levels .

If he can get his averages up to 20 touches a game with his DE% not dropping you would keep picking him. I think as others have suggested it’s some other role he needs to be tried, as the midfield is overflowing with personnel who offer more atm.

 

[Makeshift Park]

Unfortunately the heat maps by quarter have been taken done on the AFL site, but when I looked, Phillips had 3 touches in the second half, all of them around the centre circle

Q3

Q4

A bit grim.

 

[Themanbun]

and so where does wardlaw play?

Don't make me...lol

 

[FlyHigh18]

Matt Rowell came in as a pure inside mid. Now can also play outside.

Wiphi should sus out how he achieved that.

 

[Themanbun]

Quite simply needs to accumulate +10 more disposals, to have more than 3-4 properly effective disposals a game, and needs to clean up and become a one touch player.

No more getting your first effective touch +15 mins into the game, no more fumbles, no more fresh airing the ball, and more vision in the clinches at the coalface. He very often gives a 1m handball when he gets contact which is a bit of a no no, it just transfers your heat to the next bloke who dump kicks. Take the tackle and reset.

He needs to do this and also really nail that sweeper role.

I've been watching his possessions a bit using the AFL extended highlights part of the app and the disposal efficiency percentage really isn't reflective of how uncharacteristically unclean he's been to start this year off.

He would know this and I don't doubt is trying everything to fix it. Here's hoping for the best for him. If he gets picked against Sydney, I hope it comes together and he can regain his confidence.

 

[TruRoo]

Matt Rowell came in as a pure inside mid. Now can also play outside.

Wiphi should sus out how he achieved that.

One came into the league a bull, and has remained so.

The other came into the league a junior footy sized athlete and has remained so

 

[LB2Snake]

When did he turn a corner? He's basically been the same player for 18 months

Hi first half yesterday I meant......was tracking really well. Really clean and got involved.

 

[FlyHigh18]

One came into the league a bull, and has remained so.

The other came into the league a junior footy sized athlete and has remained so

Rowell was never a burst away player, but now is so. Bc he knows having only one talent useless, so he adapted

 

[lockheed]

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.

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

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

Love it. I’ve described him as the bass player before Every band needs one.

(Except The Doors)

They were good enough with Manzarek’s left hand.