Sam Philp | 2020 Season Review

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.

After a largely improved season, we will be reviewing every player that pulled on the famous Navy Blue guernsey in 2020.

This is the Blue Abroad Player Review for Carlton’s #34 – Sam Philp.

SEASON SYNOPSIS

With the COVID-affected season in 2020, Blues fans were treated to watching a number of players pulling on the Navy Blue guernsey for the first time in their career. Sam Philp was one of these players that got their opportunity, and although limited to just 2 games, showed he may yet have a long future with the Carlton Football Club.

Coming to the Blues as Pick 20 from the 2019 National Draft, ‘Philpy’ ranked elite among forwards across his 2 games in one percenters (2 per games), kick efficiency (75%), score launches (1) and pressure acts (17). He also ranked above average for overall disposal efficiency (71.4%) and score involvements per game (4).

With a deeper list in 2021 and the natural progression of the youth group around him, Philp looks to have his work cut out for him to break into the Senior squad heading into the coming season.

OFF-SEASON & 2021 OUTLOOK

Still only 18 years old, a player like ‘Philpy’ should be given every chance over a number of years to prove his worth as an AFL footballer. His limited game time showed how raw he still is, yet offered a glimpse into the player he might become if he were to reach his full potential. His ability to pressure his opponent and affect possession was on display in both of his games in 2020, and were attributes that stood out at Under 18 level.

Philp was originally contracted until the end of 2021 prior to signing a two-year extension during the 2020 season. It now ties him to the Blues until at least the end of the 2023 season, and is a show of faith by the senior coaching staff and decision-makers that they believe in his ability to progress in the coming years.

We’ve seen some promising signs from Sam during his first two AFL games, but that is just a glimpse of what we see from him every day at training. His speed around the contest and tackling pressure is impressive and those strengths are only going to grow over time given how hard we see him work. We are excited to see Sam continue to develop as a player and person with the Carlton Football Club and for our members and fans to enjoy the excitement he will bring on game day. – Nick Austin, Carlton Head of List Management

The makeshift 14 vs. 14 “Reserves” matches throughout the season has stifled the progression of younger talent in comparison to previous years under regular season circumstances. Hopefully with the return of the VFL in 2021, Blues fans can witness Philp take his game to another level.

2020 REPORT CARD RATING

NA

STATUS HEADING INTO 2021

Sporadic Senior Player