If a player is going to survive and thrive at AFL level, their mentality and approach to the game off the field is just as important as their ability on it.

Will Phillips fits the mould of the new-age AFL footballer; a versatile and skilful player with a work-ethic to train the house down.

Drafted as an inside-midfielder with the third pick at the 2020 NAB AFL Draft, Phillips has played six senior games so far in his debut season and impressed with his clean hands and decision-making around the contest.

With a list full of young talent, midfield coach Jordan Russell says Phillips is exactly the type of personality the club wants to continue to build around moving into the future.

“Although he (Phillips) hasn’t played all 11 games, what he’s been able to do is grow as an individual,” Russell told North Media.

“His ability to continue to push himself and challenge himself day-to-day, he annoys the hell out of the coaches, because he’s consistently asking questions.

“[That’s] a great quality to have … he’s such a diligent professional for such a young kid, he almost shows up a lot of the older guys because of the way he goes about it.”

Phillips has spent time playing out of his traditional midfield position at AFL level so far in his career, with a move into the forward line helping him continue to adapt to the unrivalled pace and power of the AFL.

While versatility is an important part of making the grade at the top level, Russell says the quality of midfielders around Phillips will only help him learn, as he continues to stake his claim for more midfield time.

“Will’s certainly capable of playing some really good AFL football … if you come into an AFL club as a number three draft pick there’s lots of external pressure on you to play week to week, he said.

“We’ve got a nice group of midfield players who are playing some really good football which has probably forced him to play a little bit more forward time.

“I don’t think he’d have done that too often in his junior football, so he’s shown resilience to get through that, to continue to work on another part of his game.

“Will’s actually been fantastic … he’s going to be fine and just continue to stick to the process.”