Greg Phillips started his career in 1976 at Port Adelaide and was a key member of their defence during a successful era for the club. At the 1980 Adelaide State of Origin Carnival he was selected in the All-Australian team.
Collingwood (1983–1986)
Phillips joined VFL club Collingwood in 1983 following his Port Adelaide coach John Cahill to the club. Phillips played four seasons with Collingwood before returning to Port Adelaide in 1987.
Port Adelaide (1987–1993)
Phillips returned to Port Adelaide in 1987. The following year, he won the club's best and fairest. Phillips was captain of Port Adelaide from 1991 to the end of the 1993 season, when he announced his retirement. He was a member of eight Port Adelaide premiership sides, in 1977, 1979–1981, 1988–1990, and 1992.
Honours
In 1980 Greg Phillips was named in the All Australian squad. In 2000 Phillips was selected as a centre half back in Port Adelaide's official 'Greatest Team 1870 to 2000'. In 2020, he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.[2]
Personal life
Philips has three daughters with his wife Julie. His youngest daughter, Erin Phillips, was a member of the Australian basketball team, and began playing Australian rules with the Adelaide AFL Women's team in the inaugural 2017 season; she is a two time AFLW best and fairest winner.[3][4] Erin subsequently moved to Port Adelaide when it joined the AFLW in 2022 (AFLW Season 7) as the team's inaugural captain.
Another daughter, Amy, is married to former AFL player Shaun Burgoyne.[5] Phillips now coaches Virginia Football Club in the Adelaide Plains Football League, whom he has led to three consecutive grand finals.
References
^These totals refer to premiership matches (home-and-away and finals matches) only.
Port Adelaide joined the AFL as a separate entity to the SANFL side. The two clubs merged in 2014, and the SANFL side now functions as Port Adelaide's AFL reserves team.
South Australia 26.16 (172) defeated Victoria 17.14 (116), at Football Park, 16 May 1983
Western Australia 24.14 (134) defeated South Australia 16.14 (110), at Subiaco Oval, 4 June 1983
Victoria 16.12 (108) defeated South Australia 16.8 (104), at Football Park, 15 May 1984
Western Australia 14.14 (98) defeated South Australia 14.13 (97), at Football Park, 9 June 1984