AFL News

FIVE potential landing spots for North Melbourne’s Will Phillips

Will Phillips comes out of contract at season’s end, and with limited game time in 2024, which club could be a suitor if a trade is struck?

Published by
Aidan Cellini

North Melbourne midfielder Will Phillips is reportedly set to "assess his options" at the end of the season.

With his contract set to expire and limited game time in 2024, rival clubs believe he's on the lookout for consistent senior opportunities after toiling away in the VFL for the majority of the year to date.

News broke that the former Pick 3 is keeping an eye out for his future, which begs the question of which club could be a suitor.

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Could it be the youthful Richmond who is set to lose Dustin Martin and Dion Prestia to retirement sooner rather than later?

Or West Coast, who are looking to bolster their midfield stocks around Harley Reid into the foreseeable future?

Here are the top FIVE potential landing spots for Phillips...

Richmond

The Tigers pose as the likeliest suitor given their age demographic and where they sit in the competition.

Amid a rebuild, the acquisition of Phillips would provide high-end depth that would flourish once Martin and Prestia retire.

And with Liam Baker and Shai Bolton on the radar of Western Australian clubs, another midfielder would be a necessity for coach Adem Yze.

Thomson Dow has been a surprise packet in 2023 while Jack Ross (23 years old), Hugo Ralphsmith (22) and Kane McAuliffe (19) are all touted as the next wave to support mature agers Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper.

West Coast

Given the Eagles' current climate, they'd be in the market for any talent looking for opportunities elsewhere.

Despite the strong performances of Tim Kelly, Elliot Yeo and Harley Reid, there isn't much depth for Adam Simpson, who at times has chucked Liam Ryan and youngsters Jai Culley and Reuben Ginbey through the midfield.

West Coast currently have the third youngest list in the AFL and Phillips would join the haul of youth making their way at the elite level.

The Eagles will need to consider ways to keep Reid and bolstering the midfield can assist in providing a clear direction that the club is going in.

Adelaide

Adelaide's midfield has begun to look pedestrian and the loss of Izak Rankine to a hamstring injury made matters worse.

Matt Crouch and Rory Laird play similar, combative football while Harry Schoenberg and Sam Berry are the former pairs reincarnate.

Jordan Dawson has proven to be a match-winner from the centre but clearly needs assistance.

Josh Rachele poses as an immediate fix while Phillips can add another dynamic to Matthew Nicks' midfield.

Unlikely to guarantee more senior football opportunities, the Kangaroos youngster would likely be in the mix each week but could be promoted as the replacement for the Crows' veteran players.

Geelong

When a player wants out, it seems that Geelong always throws its hat in the ring.

Whether it be due to the lifestyle in Victoria outside the city bubble or the impressive organisation that has resulted in more finals series than not since the turn of the century.

The Cats are building their youth nicely and through injury to Patrick Dangerfield and Cam Guthrie, were forced to rely upon Tanner Bruhn, Jack Bowes and Brandan Parfitt earlier than anticipated.

However, the imminent retirement of Dangerfield and Guthrie, does open the door to bringing more talent in.

Phillips has the skillset, which is why he was taken with Pick 3 in the 2020 Draft, but has struggled when given the opportunity.

Under Chris Scott, like many other players who land at the Cattery, the Kangaroos midfielder could thrive in a more stable and harmonious organisation like Geelong.

Hawthorn

The Hawks have exceeded expectations given they are the second youngest team (behind North Melbourne) and yet making a push for finals.

Their midfield has unsurmountable potential, led by Will Day, Jai Newcombe and James Worpel.

The next wave is strong, with youngsters Cam Mackenzie, Connor Macdonald and Henry Hustwaite all entrusted with midfield minutes during the season thus far.

Albeit difficult for Phillips to break into Sam Mitchell's side, Hawthorn would be a club that suits the age demographic as it attempts to return to premiership contention over the next few seasons.

However, the absence of Day showed the struggles Mitchell's midfield has, given their depth lacks the match-winning power of the 22-year-old.

Published by
Aidan Cellini