South Aussie Select – Episode 4 2023

By ZAC MILBANK

The agonising wait is almost over for Woodville-West Torrens prodigee Mattaes Phillipou.

Firming as the first South Australian to be selected in Monday night’s opening round of the AFL Draft, Phillipou is still no clearer on which club will select him from 6.30pm SA time.

The incredibly confident utility is looming as Essendon’s first selection inside the top five, with the Bombers showing plenty of interest in the son of former Eagle and Magpie, Sam Phillipou.

But Hawthorn displayed its serious intent earlier this week when it flew the 17-year-old to Melbourne to meet with senior coach Sam Mitchell and list manager, former Woodville-West Torrens captain Mark McKenzie.

In a lengthy chat on the final episode of South Aussie Select, Phillipou puts on show his unbridled confidence and determination to be the best he can be, revealing it was his younger brother Jevan Phillipou who provided a spark to instigate his ruthless streak.

He tells how he only made the decision to choose football over basketball at the start of this year, having trained with the North Adelaide Rockets’ senior squad.

The Advertiser’s Andrew Capel provides his insight and opinion in regards to the 2022 South Australian Draft Class, as he predicts which players will be chosen next week.

SANFL’s Physical Performance Manager Tom Debenidictis gives a snapshot of the best Croweater performers at the National and State Combines, revealing Eagles midfielder Adam D’Aloia significantly slashed his time in the 20m Sprint.