Australian Football

Brenton Phillips was named on the interchange bench in North Adelaide official 'Team of the Century' on the strength of his fine contribution during two stints at the club from 1981 to 1985 and between 1992 and 1998. In between, he played 10 games with Essendon in 1986, and 61 in five seasons with the fledgling Brisbane Bears. 

A relentlessly strong-running footballer with excellent ball handling skills, he could play almost anywhere on the field, but was most typically used as a wingman, across half forward, or on the ball. His best and most consistent season came in 1993 at North Adelaide when, after playing for the majority of the year as a ruck-rover, he won both the Magarey Medal and his club best and fairest award. He won a second best and fairest award in 1994.

Phillips played a total of 222 SANFL games for the Roosters and represented South Australia once. In 2002 he was appointed non-playing coach of Sturt where he enjoyed immediate success, steering the Blues to their first flag since 2002. However, he failed to build on that achievement, and towards the end of the 2006 season he agreed to stand down.

Author - John Devaney