Past #29: Will Phillips [Part II] - delisted end '26 - 50 NM games/8 NM goals - Farewell Sweet Prince

[Kanga1996]

Very surprised no other club wanted him..

 

[shintemaster]

Best of luck to Will in future. Seems a great kid and will no doubt fall on his feet wherever he lands next.

 

[Chip Scab1]

Very surprised no other club wanted him..

Yeah can't get a game for the mighty NMFC so you'd think he was a walk up start for exactly 0 other teams....

This is an interesting take.

 

[Merlin007]

Very surprised no other club wanted him..

Anybody with any interest will aim to pick him up as a DFA

 

[Devil Fish]

Very surprised no other club wanted him..

Why's that?

 

[andana]

Maybe join the small forward cohort

 

[King Corey]

The reason it's hard to write off Will is that he has so many elements that just look like there's a really capable player there.

Competes as hard as his body allows. Reads the ball well in congestion and very sharp judgement and vision - holds on to it and use it well. Poor man's Cunnington - strong footy IQ and poise. Also reminds me of Blake Grima

Blake Grima

Age

41

Ht

180cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.1

2star

K

3.9

2star

HB

5.2

4star

M

1.1

2star

T

2.4

4star

No current season stats available

D

7.4

2star

K

4.4

2star

HB

3.0

3star

M

1.8

2star

T

1.6

4star

- low touches but almost every one counts.

Then there's the intangibles like his character and very likeable personality.

I think he can be a player regardless of his athletic constraints but it's not looking good.

He's a guy I'd love to have a stay of execution even as a rookie for us and make something of his career a little later than expected.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

The reason it's hard to write off Will is that he has so many elements that just look like there's a really capable player there.

Competes as hard as his body allows. Reads the ball well in congestion and very sharp judgement and vision - holds on to it and use it well. Poor man's Cunnington - strong footy IQ and poise. Also reminds me of Blake Grima - low touches but almost every one counts.

Then there's the intangibles like his character and very likeable personality.

I think he can be a player regardless of his athletic constraints but it's not looking good.

He's a guy I'd love to have a stay of execution even as a rookie for us and make something of his career a little later than expected.

Agree 100%. It’s more than justifiable purely on the basis of not having any midfield depth too. In the event Phillips is delisted, Urqs is about the only inside midfielder depth we have!

I’d much prefer to keep him for another year compared to a punt on a kid who’s ranking beyond the top 50 in a very weak draft.

His professionalism stands out when compared to the other players without contracts

 

[year of the roo]

Yeah can't get a game for the mighty NMFC so you'd think he was a walk up start for exactly 0 other teams....

This is an interesting take.

I see where you're coming from. But at the same time if I'm 17 other clubs, do I look at a former number 3 pick and assume that North got the best out of him?

 

[year of the roo]

Delist, resign Cooper and give him his dads number

Sorry but what on earth has Cooper done to achieve this honour?

 

[rickety]

The reason it's hard to write off Will is that he has so many elements that just look like there's a really capable player there.

Competes as hard as his body allows. Reads the ball well in congestion and very sharp judgement and vision - holds on to it and use it well. Poor man's Cunnington - strong footy IQ and poise. Also reminds me of Blake Grima - low touches but almost every one counts.

Then there's the intangibles like his character and very likeable personality.

I think he can be a player regardless of his athletic constraints but it's not looking good.

He's a guy I'd love to have a stay of execution even as a rookie for us and make something of his career a little later than expected.

BG has him covered easily, imo. Could ding them from the arc for starters.

 

[backtothedraft]

Agree 100%. It’s more than justifiable purely on the basis of not having any midfield depth too. In the event Phillips is delisted, Urqs is about the only inside midfielder depth we have!

I’d much prefer to keep him for another year compared to a punt on a kid who’s ranking beyond the top 50 in a very weak draft.

His professionalism stands out when compared to the other players without contracts

The dilemma might be whether or not there are players delisted from other clubs that have more upside or more appropriately address a list need than Will.

 

[Chip Scab1]

I see where you're coming from. But at the same time if I'm 17 other clubs, do I look at a former number 3 pick and assume that North got the best out of him?

Possibly not. But you'd have to ascertain how much of that was due to us building from the inside out.

In most other teams there'd be a spot, true. I'd be happy enough to give him another year (as depth) and see if his running capacity improves. I'm not sure we can keep using his fever as an excuse. That was 4 years ago.

 

[DocSholl]

Sorry but what on earth has Cooper done to achieve this honour?

You didn't catch his incredible last quarter against Melbourne?

 

[roos_fanatic08]

The dilemma might be whether or not there are players delisted from other clubs that have more upside or more appropriately address a list need than Will.

Looking at what’s currently available as a DFA you could maybe make a case for Josh Fahey as a running half back or Ryan Burton, but I’d say that’s about it.

 

[King Corey]

Looking at what’s currently available as a DFA you could maybe make a case for Josh Fahey as a running half back or Ryan Burton, but I’d say that’s about it.

And KPP or crumber DFAs you could mount a case for?

 

[roos_fanatic08]

And KPP or crumber DFAs you could mount a case for?

Derksen (if he gets delisted) or maybe Blight as a big bodied stopper. Supposedly Blight doesn’t pass the character test though!

 

[backtothedraft]

Looking at what’s currently available as a DFA you could maybe make a case for Josh Fahey as a running half back or Ryan Burton, but I’d say that’s about it.

I think for me its less about targeting a specific player currently available and more about having the flexibility to make list decisions later in the preseason. There are a number of players currently in limbo across all 18 clubs and I'd be hesitant to extend or delist any of our players until the full picture is clearer. Perhaps given the weaker nature of this draft more players will be retained.

 

[Moti]

Derksen (if he gets delisted) or maybe Blight as a big bodied stopper. Supposedly Blight doesn’t pass the character test though!

Derksen just delisted

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Bloody hell Geelong are ruthless just cut one of their favourites in Cam Guthrie.

 

[Blightys Barrel]

Derksen just delisted

As Brady furiously types into ChatGPT “Should NMFC recruit Derksen from the Giants for the 2026 season?”

 

[Blightys Barrel]

Bloody hell Geelong are ruthless just cut one of their favourites in Cam Guthrie.

Unfortunately to quote Shakespeare in his last 2 years “The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak……from too many injuries.” He should get a Development role as a great servant of the club.

 

[FlyHigh18]

Bloody hell Geelong are ruthless just cut one of their favourites in Cam Guthrie.

one less headband thank fk

 

[FlyHigh18]

the 2020 draft needs to be studied

 

[Spud11]

The reason it's hard to write off Will is that he has so many elements that just look like there's a really capable player there.

Competes as hard as his body allows. Reads the ball well in congestion and very sharp judgement and vision - holds on to it and use it well. Poor man's Cunnington - strong footy IQ and poise. Also reminds me of Blake Grima - low touches but almost every one counts.

Then there's the intangibles like his character and very likeable personality.

I think he can be a player regardless of his athletic constraints but it's not looking good.

He's a guy I'd love to have a stay of execution even as a rookie for us and make something of his career a little later than expected.

You must be his uncle. There can be no other explanation for this post.

(Before you bite too hard LuvtheKangas, I am joking)