Welcome Mattaes Phillipou

[evo]

He is bottom age, so a big move

Remember these are very young kids so to expect domination at AFL level from day 1 is not realistic

The skill will be there but they have to grow into their bodies such that they can compete against men who are very well seasoned

As I said, his Grandfather, Peter, was very polished - from his days at Henley High, who had a pretty fair side at the time. Henley High was our local public high school so I knew plenty who went there - and still do

I have just been reminded that Henley High were unbeaten one year with Peter in the side including winning their annual match against Blackburn High (yes, Victoria) for the first time in 4 years

The team photo and the School Magazine write up from the time have been sent to me would you believe

There always seems a reason for being reminded of life events - now who St Kilda have drafted is the catalyst to light up my phone

Henley - near Grange?

I was there in the mid sixties too.

[groupie1]

Horrible selection. He’s pretty much publicly stated he doesn’t want to play here. Surely he’s paying 50-1 to still be at the club by 2025.

Did he really say he didn't want to play for the Saints?

Not that I am aware.

https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/south-au ... -c-8965148

That’s nothing remotely like “I don’t want to play at Saints “ or “I’m going home”
He wants to play in Melbourne in front of big crowds at either G or Etihad???? “like all Melbourne clubs do”
That to me screams- I don’t want to play park footy back in SA
WTF you on about?

This sort of thing makes me happy.
He's a Goddard-like type who will MAKE the club a big club playing in front of big crowds.
I love that we got lucky and he slipped. It was always gonna be him or Tsadas who slipped if McKenzie got pinched.
What he needs is a dose of humility and I reckon RTB and Lenny will get stuck into him from Day 1 and make him prove he's as good as he thinks or learn quickly he has a long way to go before making an impact.

Great qualities, and a much better approach than that awful 'good bloke, comes from a good family' we used to go for.

[Waltzing St Kilda]

Thank God we didn't make another baffling, out-of-left-field selection like Tom Lee (to name but one).

[samoht]

He loves the jumper already!

[Devilhead]

Dude could be a beast

Already 192cm at 17yo ... could easily get to 195-6 and around 90-5kg while still possess pace and endurance

For me it's that's overhead marking and contested possession ability that could take him to the next strasphere ... moreso than any other draftee

And you have Lenny Banger Goddard Enright Roughehad and Lyon all in his ear and the guy is super willing to learn

Nail the next 2nd round draft picks and throw in Nasiah Michito and Windy who have proven their abilities.... future is looking super bright

[bigcarl]

Very happy with this one. Surprised he slid to No.10, but perhaps because he’s bottom age.

[Banger9798]

Article today saying Essendon was offered pick 13 and 2 future FRDPs for their pick, by Melbourne.

It also said that Essendon agonised over decision between Tsatas and Phillipou.

So based on that, I think we got a good one

[saynta]

https://www.saints.com.au/news/1252787/ ... t-to-prove

[Sainter_Dad]

He called our home ground Etihad.

Delist.

I wouldn’t be too worried. I still call it Colonial.

Me....the dome.

I want to start calling it the "Dome of Doom" again for Opposition Teams

[Life Long Saint]

He called our home ground Etihad.

Delist.

He's from SA, they're at least 5 years behind Melbourne.

[D.B.Cooper]

He called our home ground Etihad.

Delist.

I wouldn’t be too worried. I still call it Colonial.

Me....the dome.

I'm still trying to learn how to pronounce Wurundjeri

[skeptic]

He called our home ground Etihad.

Delist.

I wouldn’t be too worried. I still call it Colonial.

Me....the dome.

I'm still trying to learn how to pronounce Wurundjeri

WAR RUN JURY

[Bernard Shakey]

He called our home ground Etihad.

Delist.

I wouldn’t be too worried. I still call it Colonial.

Me....the dome.

Can't be the dome, it's got a flat roof.
Docklands Stadium.

[Sanctorum]

Horrible selection. He’s pretty much publicly stated he doesn’t want to play here. Surely he’s paying 50-1 to still be at the club by 2025.

Did he really say he didn't want to play for the Saints?

Not that I am aware.

https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/south-au ... -c-8965148

This is what it quotes Phillipou saying:

“I’ve always wanted to be in the spotlight and play in front of big crowds,” Phillipou said.

“I want to get all the big games and all the Melbourne teams get that.

“It will awesome playing at the ‘G (MCG) every two weeks or at the Etihad.”

Nothing in that to indicate that he doesn't want to play for St Kilda - wait till some of club legends bring him into their embrace, he'll love playing for the Saints. I recall similar misgivings being expressed about Brendon Goddard when he was selected by St Kilda at pick 1 in 2002, he'd always wanted to play for Carlton!

[older saint]

Hopefully everyone remembers he is one of the younger players in the draft, bit like Coffied, and therefore is he is a bit of a slow burn in 2023 don't start talking about we should have taken (fill int he gap) who is a bit older and more developed initially.

No chance this happens but could always hope

[asiu]

so

as Ruby pointed at

we've actually picked up
next years possible pick 1
this year for pick 10 + 5 days

thats not a bad effort

[SaintPav]

Crow’s list manager in 2025.

[SaintPav]

Port’s list manager in 2025.

[Sainternist]

He’s exactly what we needed. Couldn’t be happier in getting him.

[Sainter_Dad]

Chris Doerre does a Draft Power Ranking - Had him at #2

2. Mattaes Phillipou (SANFL - Woodville-West Torrens)

The son of Sam, Mattaes is a 192cm, dual position impact player who is arguably this year's most damaging prospect through the midfield and up forward.

As a forward, Phillipou hits the scoreboard at will, sets up teammates inside 50 with precise entry kicks, is a strong overhead mark, powerful ground ball winner and uses his pace to create meaningful separation on the lead and kicks goals on the burst.

Through the midfield, Phillipou is a powerful contested ball winner who regularly wins first possession at stoppages and displays a burst of speed and class with ball in hand. Phillipou's most influential performance this year came for South Australia during the Under-18 Championships against the Allies where he amassed 24 disposals, 17 contested possessions, six marks (one contested), five clearances, two goals and two score assists. The same dominant football was played by Phillipou against Victoria Metro where he was the most influential player early and picked up nine disposals in the first 15 minutes of play before leaving the field under serious duress and requiring treatment on his lower back.

Phillipou was a star performer in the SANFL this year with averages of 33 disposals, 8.3 inside 50s and 3.3 shots on goal over his last four SANFL Under-18 matches, and in his final SANFL Reserves match kicked a game-high three goals. With a December 27th birthday, Phillipou qualifies for this year's draft as one of its youngest. With his performances on the board, mix of attributes, influence on games across multiple positions, rapid rate of improvement and very late-year birthday, Phillipou arguably possesses the highest ceiling in this year's draft.

Phillipou at No. 2 is a decision unique to this draft board.

October Ranking: 2

[remboy]

The pou talks about loyalty .

He speaks incredibly well for someone who hasn’t even turned 18. Can’t wait to see him develop over the next few years.

[Killa]

Yes, next suburb to Grange on the gulf

Peter also played mid career in the ACT (Eastlake) for 3 years in the mid 1970’s

So if not for that he would have gone past 300 in the SANFL which is some achievement

There is pedigree

[desertsaint]

henley high school? another top draft pick from there along with Rankine and Lukosius - they're churning them out. we need someone to work there as a teacher and scout em early.

[kosifantutti]

“I just met Max King”

[1966]

Exactly what we need.
Perhaps fortunate that he fell in our lap but didn’t take the safe selection. Wonder if we would have been so brave if had pick 5 or 6.
So what if he has an ego? Didn’t stop Nathan Buckley.
About time we stop being mediocre and playing safe all the time.