2020 Trade & Free Agency Spotlight | Tom Phillips
Written by Joseph Addamo
Throughout the 2020 off-season, Blue Abroad will be providing content to cover everything you need to know about the Carlton Football Club.
Looking to take the next step in 2021, the success of this off-season’s recruiting is critical. We will be looking at various opposition players on the open market that could add another dimension to the current crop of players.
This is the Blue Abroad Trade & Free Agency Player Spotlight for Collingwood’s #21 – Tom Phillips.
WHO IS TOM PHILLIPS?
Junior Club: Oakleigh Chargers, U18 TAC Cup
AFL Selection: Pick 58, 2015 AFL National Draft by the Collingwood Magpies
Age (@ Round 1, 2021): 24
Height: 186cm
Weight: 75kg
Position(s): Midfielder
Career Games: 89
Career Goals: 44
WHAT IS TOM PHILLIPS’ STRONGEST ATTRIBUTE?
Tom Phillips is one of the game’s most consistent wingers. Unlike Hugh McCluggage and Andrew Gaff, Phillips is often largely underrated in the position when benchmarked against his peers. His numbers speak volumes to the effectiveness and impact his brings on game day.
In his career to date among midfielders, Phillips rates as elite for kicks per game (13.2), effective kicks (8), metres gained (367.7), rebound 50s (2.1), uncontested possessions (15.5) and marks (5). He also ranks above average for disposals (22.1), effective disposals (15.3), score involvements (4.6) and inside 50s (2.8).
His kicking forward of centre and ability to gather the ball in space are standouts of Phillips’ game. A calm head and with a raking left foot are the hallmarks of Phillips’ style.
WHERE WOULD TOM PHILLIPS FIT IN CARLTON’S STARTING 22?
Carlton finished the season with the second highest kick-to-handball ratio in the competition at approximately 1.8:1. Dump kicks inside 50 and wayward entries frustrated Carlton fans across the season, and contributed to a below average goal conversion rate for the Blues in 2020. Phillips would slot in seamlessly on a wing opposed to the likes of Sam Walsh or Zac Williams if he were acquired, and bring composure to Carlton’s forward 50 entries.
His career-best performance to date came against Carlton in Round 8, 2019, where his effectiveness as a winger and efficiency getting the ball inside 50 were on full display. Phillips gathered 34 disposals, had 21 kicks, took 4 marks, gained 646 metres, intercepted the ball 7 times and had 7 inside 50 entries to go with 11 score involvements. To top this off, he also kicked 2.2 himself across the afternoon. While not recognized as best-on-ground at the 2019 Brownlow Medal count for this game, it’s difficult to argue another player that had more influence over the final result.
Walsh showed glimpses of these performances in 2020, however adding Phillips would ensure the Blues’ wing stocks are stacked with talent heading into 2021.
WHAT IS TOM PHILLIPS’ CONTRACT STATUS?
Phillips is contracted to the Pies until the end of 2021, with trade talk swirling and his playing future at Collingwood potentially at a crossroads.
His name was also mentioned in trade rumours at the end of the 2019 season, before ultimately being squashed and remaining committed to the Pies. SEN’s Sam Edumund shed some light on Phillips future as a Magpie in the aftermath of Collingwood’s 2020 Finals exit:
The Pies have a real backlog (of uncontracted players) here… it was James Aish last year… does Phillips come up again in trade conversations?
Reportedly being told he may struggle for consistent playing time next season, it is likely Phillips is on the move this off-season. If the right deal could be struck, the Blues could ill-afford not to do their due diligence and enquire about his services for 2021 and beyond.
REALISTIC ACQUISITION RATING
5.5 / 10
