Hawthorn mature-age recruit Ethan Phillips will make his debut in opposition to Port Adelaide on Sunday because the Hawks attempt to cowl for the absence of their two greatest defenders.
With the suspended Jack Scrimshaw becoming a member of injured captain James Sicily on the sidelines, Phillips will play his first AFL recreation after he was signed by the Hawks within the last hours of the SSP window in February.
Harm-hit Richmond can even unveil a debutant, with second-year ahead Steely Inexperienced named to play in opposition to Brisbane on the Gabba.
Inexperienced, 20, was near a spherical 1 debut after spectacular pre-season performances for the Tigers, and has been an emergency a number of instances this season.
Phillips, who gained the VFL’s Fothergill-Spherical-Mitchell Medal as its greatest younger participant in 2022, has carried out strongly for Field Hill this season with a median of 18 possessions and 12 marks per recreation.
Hawthorn soccer boss Rob McCartney stated the 24-year-old’s journey to a debut was a “nice story of perseverance”.
Earlier than establishing himself as a VFL participant, Phillips performed in a VAFA premiership at St Kevin’s with Collingwood recruit Lachie Sullivan, who made his debut two weeks in the past.
“It is a nice story of perseverance and by no means giving up in your dream of taking part in AFL footy – we’re really excited for Ethan to get his likelihood on Sunday,” McCartney stated.
“Ethan has performed nicely at VFL degree within the early a part of the season. His type has been actually sturdy and he has confirmed he’s a constant performer in our defensive finish, each in defending our objective and beginning our assault by way of intercept marks.
“It’ll be an amazing day for Ethan and his household as he begins his journey as an AFL footballer.”
Phillips’ choice suggests the Hawks won’t take any dangers with Sicily as he recovers from shoulder and ankle accidents he suffered within the spherical 8 win over the Western Bulldogs.
Hawthorn can be contemplating a recall for injury-riddled defender Changkuoth Jiath, who overcame recurrent calf accidents over the pre-season solely to endure hamstring and quad setbacks in current months.
