STRENGTHS:

+ Aerial ability
+ Overhead marking
+ Athleticism
+ Clean hands
+ Scoreboard impact

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Field kicking
- Consistency

Football runs in the family for Phillipou, whose father Sam played over 100 games for Woodville-West Torrens and grandfather Peter also notched up 272 for the Eagles. Hailing from the PHOS Camden Football Club and Henley High School, Phillipou has divided his time between the forward-line and midfield throughout his junior years.

A gifted basketballer, Phillipou's natural athleticism has clearly carried over from the round ball to the Sherrin. He boasts a terrific leap and has some of the cleanest hands in the business both above his shoulders and at ground level. Phillipou announced himself as a forward last season, with his marking capacity making him a particularly difficult matchup in a very strong Eagles Under 18s set-up.

Recruiters would have been well aware of the upside of Phillipou, but when the then 16-year-old accumulated 32 possessions, six marks (three contested) and five goals against the Bulldogs last season, he went from likely draftee to possible early selection. And if that performance wasn't enough, his six goals and 32 disposals in a 122-point demolition of the Double Blues would've sealed it.

This season, Phillipou has spent more time in the midfield, where clubs will no doubt see a future for him long-term as a big-bodied on-baller. He played eight Under 18 games, finding the ball at-will and pushing forward to impact the scoreboard, averaging 28 disposals, 6.6 marks, 5.1 tackles, 4.3 clearances and 1.5 goals per game. He made the step-up to reserves level with relative ease and managed to find the goals against the seasoned bodies. A confident player, his ability to find the goals from just about anywhere is noticeable. Phillipou was terrific for SA in their first couple of National Championships games against the Allies and Victoria Country, but played through soreness in the latter games.

Phillipou's athleticism, forward craft and cleanliness overhead will likely see him begin his AFL career as a marking half-forward, however clubs are sure to have bigger plans for the South Australian. When used in the middle over the past couple of years, Phillipou has impressed with his one-touch pick-ups and clearance work at stoppages. Although he isn't particularly speedy, Phillipou boasts a powerful first couple of steps which allows him to break through would-be tacklers and is a penetrating user on his left-foot. Further adding to his upside, Mattaes is just five days off being ineligible for the 2022 draft, having been born late in December.

Phillipou's ball use is certainly serviceable, especially for a midfielder playing his role, however his field kicking remains an area to work on. Clubs are unlikely to view this as a total negative though, because the nature of his inside midfield role does not tend to lend itself to precise kicking.