Greg Phillips inducted into Australian Football Hall of Fame

By ZAC MILBANK

Eight-time Port Adelaide premiership player Greg Phillips has had his distinguished career recognised with induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday night.

A mainstay for the Magpies at Alberton and Collingwood across an outstanding career spanning 447 games and 18 seasons, Phillips was an inaugural inductee into the South Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

The All-Australian stood tall on the national stage when representing South Australia, donning the cherished red guernsey on 20 occasions, including 1982 when he was awarded the Fos Williams Medal as the Croweaters’ best against WA at Subiaco.

”Greg was widely regarded as one of the best centre half-backs in the game throughout his wonderful career with Port Adelaide, Collingwood and South Australia,” SANFL Chief Executive Jake Parkinson said.

”Strong in stature, he was almost impenetrable for opposition teams such was the manner in which he defended with distinction.

”SANFL congratulates Greg on his richly-deserved honour of being inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.”

Originally from the tiny town of Minnipa at the top of Eyre Peninsula, Phillips began his football journey there before moving to Port Lincoln where he joined Lincoln South.

It was there he was spotted by the Magpies hierarchy who invited him to Queen Street.

His first senior season was in 1976, starting with a heart-breaking upset loss to Sturt in the Grand Final.

It was to be the only defeat in a SANFL title-decider Phillips would experience as he embarked on his incredibly successful run with the Magpies, which culminated with him being the club’s captain for his eighth premiership in 1992.

“You do have to pinch yourself,” Phillips told the Port Adelaide FC website.

“How lucky was I when I know at other clubs there are players who chalked up 300 games and did not get to a grand final, let alone win a premiership. And I have eight.

“To come from the country, hit the city and see how big the SANFL was with Port Adelaide was a real eye-opener.”

Born: March 26, 1959

Games: 343 for Port Adelaide (1976-82 and 1987-93), 84 for Collingwood (1983-1986).

Goals: 93 for Port Adelaide, 12 for Collingwood.

State Games: 20.

Honours – Port Adelaide premierships (8): 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992; Port Adelaide premiership captain, 1992; Port Adelaide best-and-fairest, 1988; Port Adelaide captain, 1991-1993; Port Adelaide Greatest Team at centre half-back; All-Australian, 1980; Fos Williams Medallist, 1982 v WA at Subiaco Oval; South Australian Football Hall of Fame, 2002 (inaugural inductee).