North Melbourne’s number 29 runs through the contest and crumbs a loose ground ball. Without breaking stride he throws a banana on his boot and watches the ball sail through the middle of the goals. He grabs at his jumper to celebrate, showing his love for the royal blue and white stripes.
You could be forgiven for thinking Brent Harvey had returned to kick yet another AFL goal, but this time, it wasn’t Boomer. It’s just another early chapter in the early, but promising AFL career of young Will Phillips.
Every player dreams of the day they kick their first AFL goal, but Phillips says the fact he could achieve this feat in front of not only the roaring North fans, but Harvey himself, made the moment that much more special.
“It was pretty surreal … to kick a goal like that was pretty special, especially when we had the momentum,” he told North Media.
“I thought I’d just grab the jumper in the moment and show that I have such pride for this footy club.
“Donning the number 29 has been pretty cool and I sent him [Harvey] a message before round one just telling him how appreciative I was to be able to pull on his number … it’s such a big honour, we’re pretty close.”
Phillips’ goal put smiles on the faces of friends, family and North fans everywhere, but some of the biggest celebrations were reserved for two of his teammates.
Fellow draftees Charlie Lazzaro and Tom Powell had both felt the elation of their first AFL goals earlier in the season, but celebrated just as enthusiastically when their teammate achieved the feat for himself.
Phillips said being able to run through the midfield with two other members from his draft class made for some special moments on the field.
“I came right through juniors with Charlie Lazzaro … and ‘Powelly’ (Tom Powell) and I have clicked immediately,” he said.
“You can see out on the track we just have such a good bond and it’s pretty surreal to think three draftees are playing in the same team.
“I take pride in that bond we share and hopefully we can take that into the future with us.”
Having made his debut against the Western Bulldogs on Good Friday, Phillips was happy to get another game of AFL football under his belt.
“The step up has been really big, reaction time becomes more important at AFL level, the speed obviously picks up,” he said.
“It’s been really important to adapt to it as quickly as possible. I feel like that second game I started to find my feet a little bit and hopefully I can build on that in the future.”
