The Coodabeen Champions Pharaohs of Fate with Julian Ross
12 May 2001
When you think about strong men certain names spring to mind. Russian super heavyweight Vassily Alexeyev won gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics and the 1976 Montreal Games. The gigantic Russian raised mind games to an art form. He waited until opponents had lifted before appearing for his first attempt. At the edge of the platform he covered himself with so much chalk Alexeyev resembled an everestian Casper the unfriendly ghost. A champion noted for his consistency at Olympics and World Championships was the entertaining 150 kilogram West German Manfred Nerlinger. He was remembered mostly for his wobbling chins under a bar loaded at 230 kilograms.
But a footballer known for his strength of character was Andrew Phillips. He played some good football on the Carlton forward line. AP made several courageous attempts at returning from a severe back injury.
Phillips began his footy career with Waverley Juniors. He later became a star with amateur side Melbourne High School Old Boys. Andrew had a lot of talent scouts bending over backwards to secure his services. Carlton won the race. The Blues heavies gave their recruit the number 19 jumper previously worn by Ian Collins and Rohan Burke.
The A man didn't have a huge physique. 178 centimetres and only 66 kilograms. He had road runner pace and knew where the goals were. Like his number he made his senior debut at the age of 19 in 1989. He forged a reputation in the fires the round 15 game against Collingwood at Police Road Park. It was a last man standing affair. Shane Morwood hobbled off, Wayne Johnston did a string. Darren Millane made his team mates stand tall. A torrid third quarter. Carlton 2 points up at the last change. In the final hectic minutes Daicos goaled. This levelled scores despite the Magpies inaccuracy all day. Then Phillips grabbed the ball from a hurried clearing kick. He ran parallel to goal and snapped over the shoulder. Goal. Blues won 15.6 to 12.18.
Early in 1990, Ando experienced the beginnings of a back injury that hampered progress during his second season. He played ten games for the year. In the round 12 game versus Brisbane at Bluesville, Phillips was a moving target up forward. Blokes like Kernahan loved kicking to a player who consistently made space near the sticks. Halfway through the second portion, AP kicked a clever snap goal Heatley Stand end. In what was becoming a trademark he booted a sizeable 40 metre running major in the embers of the encounter. A Carlton win 24.14 to 11.23. He also goaled near time in the round 20 fixture with Essendon at PP now OO. Blues an important win 16.11 to 12.15. Yet in a period of weighty injury difficulty, Andrew won the Carlton reserves best and fairest with a dozen starts. Furthermore the Phil guy had a pivotal function in the reserves premiership team.
He managed his back injury with the mental strength of a Dean Lukin. At Optus a characteristic snap goal half way through the second stanza against St Kilda round 6 1991. A Blues victory 13.16 to 7.18. Park side round 12 versus the Maggies. 15 minutes into the last. Phillips marked on a long lead. Went back and rammed home a huge snag from 50. A Carlton win by 20 points. He snapped truly again v. West Coast at Princes round 14. Blue boys a 3 point win 12.11 to 11.14.
Andrew Phillips couldn't continue with his back problem as it was. For his light frame he was a big in courage. Carlton dropped him off the list at the end of 1991. 42 games for 26 goals.
A Taranenko of toughness.