Tom Phillips says he’s in a “really good spot” despite being delisted by Hawthorn at the end of last season.
The wingman played just four games in 2022 as he battled with both injury and form but is certain he can play a role going forward.
With 115 senior games to his name, Phillips is keen to get back on an AFL list and reassert himself as one of the competition’s best endurance runners.
“I’m feeling really good,” Phillips said on SEN Breakfast.
“I feel I’m in a really good spot and I’m super keen to get back to being what I think is one of the best runners in the game at my best.
“That’s the main priority for me at the moment, to get back, I’m running really well.
“I think I can play a role for any club going forward in 2023 or beyond.”
Phillips has been linked to rival clubs as a delisted free agent pick-up, and the 26-year-old says there’s “enough confidence” right now that he’ll find himself on an AFL list in 2023.
“Yeah, there is, there is enough confidence at the moment so I’m keeping at it,” Phillips said.
“As I said, as we know in the AFL environment, it can be unpredictable at the best of times.
“There’s always movement, there’s always a lot of different things going on.
“You’ve got to be able to keep working and moving in the right direction without any 150 per cent guarantee.
“That’s been my mindset since the start of September and it’s the same until now.
“I’m focused on staying on that path until genuine decisions are made and beyond that as well.”
After spending most of last season sidelined with an ankle injury, Phillips believes he’s found new ways to get into peak conditioning which he feels will hold him in good stead if given another chance.
“I’m committed to getting back,” Phillips said.
“I think in a weird way it’s helped being injured later in the season.
“I’ve had to remain really focused to get my body right regardless and learn through different ways how to prepare and put myself in the greatest shape to get back to where I know I can get back to.
“My mindset hasn’t waivered.”
Phillips played 89 games for Collingwood between 2016 and 2020 before spending the last two seasons at Waverley Park.