AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game
Full name
Horace Ronald Phillips
Known as
Ron Phillips
Born
3 June 1921
Place of birth
Peterborough, SA (5422)
Died
11 January 2007 (aged 85)
Height and weight
Height: 175 cm
Senior clubs
North Adelaide
State of origin
SA
Hall of fame
South Australian Football Hall Of Fame (2002)
Club | League | Career span | Games | Goals | Avg | Win % | AKI | AHB | AMK | BV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North Adelaide | SANFL | 1940-1941, 1946-1953 | 139 | 204 | 1.47 | — | — | — | — | — |
Total | 1940-1941, 1946-1953 | 139 | 204 | 1.47 | — | — | — | — | — |
Ron Phillips is best remembered for a versatility which saw him win consecutive Magarey Medals while playing predominantly at opposite ends of the ground. In 1948 he won the Medal as a centre half back and the following year, when forced by the needs of the team to relocate to centre half forward, he won it again and, for good measure, topped North Adelaide’s goalkicking with 35 goals, a feat he was to repeat in each of the next three seasons.
Phillips was far from being a two season wonder, however. In 139 appearances for the red and whites and 10 for South Australia his performances were typically characterised by verve, courage, aggression, pace and a superb high marking ability which belied the fact that, at only 175 cm in height, he was continually outreached by opponents. Add to this a supreme versatility which saw him occupy every position on the field during his career except centre wing and full back and his value as a ‘team player’ should be obvious.
He may have been neither the prettiest nor most celebrated footballer of his time (although it would be wrong to call him old-fashioned, as he was an ardent advocate and exponent of the play on game) but every successful team needs players of the calibre and attitude of Ron Phillips.
Author - John Devaney