Jevan Phillipou Draft Profile

Woodville-West TorrensMidfielder-Forward

#12

Jevan Phillipou

height: 183cm

weight:

D.O.B: 30-03-2007

Leagues: AFL U18 Championships

Snapshot
Analysis
Summary

SNAPSHOT: “An explosive athlete with high impact-per-possession whether in midfield or up forward.” – Michael Alvaro

What’s in a name? Plenty if you’re Jevan Phillipou. The powerful midfielder-forward is part of a three-generation footballing family, with his grandfather Peter and father Sam etching out their SANFL legacies. The latter even played four AFL games for Footscray in 1995. Fast forward to 2022, and Jevan’s elder brother Mattaes was drafted to St Kilda with pick 10. Now, the junior sibling is looking to join him at the top level.

Phillipou carries an air of confidence and has always played with a point to prove. He forced his way into state squads in 2023 and 2024, not playing a game at the Under 16 National Championships but making one appearance in last year’s Under 18 carnival. He missed out on repeating the feat in 2025 after a broken arm stunted his rise. Still, he was able to make a splash with six SANFL League appearances upon his return.

Coming back stronger after setbacks has been a theme for Phillipou. He recovered from a significant ankle injury late in the minor rounds of last year’s SANFL Under 18 season to play in Woodville-West Torrens’ premiership. He went on to skipper the team in 2025 on either side of his senior stint, showcasing the all-round athleticism and work rate which has recruiters highly invested in his progress.

Like his elder brother, Phillipou played plenty of basketball growing up and is not afraid to back his skills. He moulds his game on the likes of Isaac Heeney and Christian Petracca for their high-impact styles, and is part of the growing trend of young prospects who don’t follow one set AFL team. Instead, he supports Mattaes and watches a bunch of football, siting his love for the game.

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STRENGTHS:

+ Agility
+ Dual-footed
+ Overhead marking
+ Power
+ Running capacity
+ Scoreboard impact

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Composure
- Defensive game

Phillipou prides himself on being a high impact-per-possession player, capable of hurting the opposition in a variety of ways. Whether cracking in to win the hard ball in midfield, rising for inspired marks around the ground, or hitting the scoreboard regularly, he finds a way to produce big moments. It's part of why he is such an exciting all-round package, offering substance and flair rolled into one.

There is no denying Phillipou's athletic acumen. He tested well at the National Draft Combine, exhibiting his turn of speed with an 8.089-second agility test time - good enough for eighth place. That translates to twists and turns on-field which keep the opposition guessing. Phillipou also finished third in the running vertical jump with a leap of 90cm, seen as he rises to pluck balls out of the air with guts and confidence.

Both traits are part of what makes Phillipou so versatile. He can impact in the air and at ground level, suiting each phase of the game and showcasing a strong set of hands. His footballing fundamentals run deeper than that, too. Phillipou often uses both sides of his body to deliver the ball and it makes him a uniquely dynamic threat when combined with his agility. He provides plenty of spark in short, repeat bursts.

Another element of Phillipou's game is his running ability. He's a pure gut runner, offering a speed-endurance mix which allows him to find the ball in all parts of the ground. The way he covers the turf is a sign of his work rate, which is driven by elite standards. It's no wonder, then, why he was named captain of Woodville-West Torrens' Under 18 side. There's equal parts endeavour and talent.

For all his upside, there is still room for improvement in Phillipou's game. He can tend to rush and blaze away at times, dumping the ball long by foot in pressure situations. Adding an element of composure will allow him to be all the more potent heading forward. Phillipou is also working on the defensive side of his game, nailing down pressure elements like his tackling technique and ability to switch into defensive transition.

DRAFT RANGE: 15-25

SUMMARY:

Despite losing out on a significant portion of his top-age season to injury, recruiters kept tabs on Phillipou given his obvious upside. Such dangerous impact players are hard to find, and if he had the chance to prove himself at the National Championships, he could well have pushed firmly into the top 15. Some clubs may well place him in that range, and he is likely to feature within the first round of the draft. Whoever calls out his name is getting a highly driven and confident athlete who thrives under the bright lights and will constantly seek improvement.