AFL: North Melbourne pulls the pin on young gun Will Phillips’ frustrating season

North Melbourne midfielder Will Phillips’ frustrating second season in the AFL is over without him playing a senior game.

Will Phillips’ second season in the AFL is over without him adding to his senior games tally. Picture: Michael Klein

Prized North Melbourne midfielder Will Phillips’ horror second season is officially over.

The last-placed Kangaroos have ruled out the 20-year-old for the rest of the year after he was twice struck down by glandular fever following a positive test for Covid-19.

Phillips did not add to his 16 AFL games from last season but appeared three times at VFL level in April, averaging 15 disposals.

North Melbourne’s general manager of football performance, Dan McPherson, said the decision ended what had been “a very disappointing year” for Phillips.

“After a really good pre-season, Will had his sights firmly set on taking his game to the next level in 2022,” McPherson said.

“Will is a fantastic young man whose maturity and perspective on life has helped him deal with his current situation so well.

Playing in a pre-season practice game against Melbourne was as close as Will Phillips came to playing in the AFL this year. Picture: Michael Klein

“Frustratingly, for both Will and the club, he just hasn’t been able to shake the lingering effects of glandular fever.

“We think it’s best to take the expectation off him for the rest of the year and allow him to focus on his recovery as he builds towards 2023.”

The Roos picked Phillips at No.3 in the 2020 draft, ahead of Sydney forward Logan McDonald, to add him to a promising collection of midfield talent, including Jy Simpkin, Luke Davies-Uniacke and Tarryn Thomas.

They view him as a future leader with the ability to blossom into a star on-baller.

McDonald’s barnstorming start to his career instantly sparked early criticism of the Roos’ call on Phillips despite him barely playing in his draft year because of injury and the Covid pandemic.

That scrutiny has only heightened in 2022, with Phillips unable to play as McDonald turned in some matchwinning performances, albeit with some quieter games thrown in.

Will Phillips hopes to take a major leap next season once he returns to full health. Picture: Michael Klein

North Melbourne recruited Callum Coleman-Jones from Richmond as a forward-ruck but he has struggled and managed only four senior matches, leaving Nick Larkey to carry a significant load in attack.

But Phillips is doing his best to remain positive despite his health issues and the commentary about his selection.

“It’s been pretty tough and frustrating. I’ve just tried to stay in the present as much as possible and look forward to hopefully what is a long career,” Phillips said.

“I’ve got to stay patient and believe that in the long term I’ll be okay.

“I’m doing everything I can to get myself healthy again and get to the point where I can run and perform exercises in the gym and go again for a big pre-season.

“I’ll be hungrier than ever to get back into things, having missed a lot of games this year.”

Originally published as AFL: North Melbourne pulls the pin on young gun Will Phillips’ frustrating season