Here's everything you need to know about new Blue Andrew Phillips, who has joined Carlton from Greater Western Sydney alongside Liam Sumner, Jed Lamb, Lachie Plowman and pick No.8 in exchange for picks No.28, 77, 95 and Geelong's 2016 first-round draft pick:
Age: 24
Height: 201cm
Weight: 100kg
Recruited from: Lauderdale (Tas)/Tasmania U18
Draft history: 2010 Rookie Draft selection (GWS Giants) No.4 overall; 2012 National Draft rookie elevation (GWS Giants) No.97 overall
Debut: Round 7, 2012 v Gold Coast
Position: Ruckman
Career games: 14
Goals: 5
2015 season: A member of the Giants’ inaugural squad, Phillips has largely been used as a back-up ruckman in his five seasons, with 2015 no exception. The big man played four games in 2015, filling in for injured first-choice ruckman Shane Mumford in the latter part of the season. His highlight for the year came against Aspley FC in the NEAFL, where he had a whopping 83 hitouts.
Best AFL performance: Despite the loss, Phillips turned in a complete performance against Melbourne in Round 21, 2012, with 14 disposals, 14 hitouts, five tackles and a goal to his name.
Andrew Phillips shows his leap. (Photo: AFL Photos)
He said it: “Andrew Phillips capitalised on being the tallest man on the ground with his body work and obviously the amount of hitouts he had was outstanding. He also won our defensive acts award this week so for a big man to do that shows he’s been working really hard on his game.”
- UWS Giants coach Brett Hand speaks after Phillips’ best-on-ground performance against 2014 NEAFL premier Aspley FC.
What we can expect: Phillips will add depth to Carlton’s ruck stocks and could also be used as a forward. Given more opportunities at the Blues, could he mirror the feats of fellow ruckmen Shane Mumford, Sam Jacobs and Aaron Sandilands, who graduated from the rookie list to become stars?
