Tom Phillips has the “hunger and fire” to work his way back onto an AFL list after being delisted by Hawthorn.
The 26-year-old endured an injury-interrupted year in what was eventually his last season, managing just four appearances.
He dealt with ankle and knee injuries and revealed to AFL Trade Radio’s Trade Afternoons that he’s still on the mend.
But after 115 games across Collingwood and the Hawks, Phillips found it a cruel ending when he was not offered a new contract in early September.
“I think like anyone in that position, I was upset and disappointed of course and I think looking past on my seasons previous to that and this season alone, I wasn’t able to get the continuity and the runs on the board this year in playing consistent footy,” he stated.
“So that’s sort of upsetting to reflect on, but in saying that it gave me an opportunity to have a look at being more mentally resilient and looking at when you are injured and you can’t contribute on the field, it forces you to look how much more professional, how much more of a better athlete I can become.
“I think that’s put me in a really good frame of mind at the moment to attack the next period and still hungry for an opportunity, very much in that mindset at the moment.”
Phillips didn’t reveal any interest from other clubs but said his manager – Alex McDonald of Hemisphere Management – was investigating the possibility of a third team.
“I’ve left a lot of that stuff to Alex and the team, to me it’s what I can control, especially my body and my mind, it’s been a different challenge this year for sure and I’ve had to have a slightly different outlook and approach to not being able to play and perform on field,” he added.
Phillips said further: “it’s focusing on what I can control with my body at the moment to give myself the best opportunity with getting another opportunity, because the hunger and the fire is there.
“I’m really bullish about getting back to my best football, given the opportunity.”
AFL Media’s Cal Twomey has previously reported Essendon has an interest in the out-of-favour winger, and former Bomber Brendon Goddard was asked if it would be a nice fit.
“I think so,” the 334-gamer responded.
“It depends where they see Nik Cox playing long-term, Sam Durham has done a really good job as a winger… I think (Phillips) would be serviceable right off the bat.”
Phillips spent two years at the Hawks after five seasons at Collingwood, including a 21-disposal performance when the Magpies fell just short in the 2018 Grand Final.