North Melbourne has decided to cut one of its highest rated prospects as the 2020 Covid AFL Draft roars into the spotlight.
Will Phillips had all the makings of an AFL professional, co-captain of footy factory Caulfield Grammar and representing the Oakleigh Chargers before the Kangaroos took him with the third pick in the 2020 draft.
He was given Brent Harvey's No.29 jumper and played 16 matches in his first season and 50 over five years, but has now been delisted by the AFL strugglers.
Just 23 years old, Phillips joins Darcy Tucker and Geordie Payne in being released by North.
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"These decisions are never easy, especially when they involve young men who have invested so much of themselves into the club," North football manager Todd Viney said.
“We wish Will, Darcy and Geordie every success in their future.”
The 2020 AFL Draft, which has become known as the 'Covid Draft', has proven one of the least successful in recent years.
In similar storylines to other competitions like America's NBA, a lack of scouting and playing time available for talent during the pandemic made drafting a much more speculative prospect than usual.
Troubled former Bulldog Jamarra Ugle-Hagan - who has just been traded to the Suns - was the first overall pick, ahead of Adelaide spearhead Riley Thilthorpe.
Phillips and Sydney duo Logan McDonald and Braeden Campbell round out the top five, followed by Denver Grainger-Barras (Hawthorn), Elijah Hollands (Gold Coast) and two Essendon selections, Nik Cox and Archie Perkins.
While Max Holmes, Ollie Henry, Jake Bowey and Swans academy pick Errol Gulden have proven solid selections, that draft is littered with more failed picks than a typical year, for valid reasons.