Back-up Blue Phillips gives Paddy a whack

THIS WEEK’S BEST

THE absence of Matthew Kreuzer to injury and concussive symptoms opened the door for Andrew Phillips to make just his fourth appearance of the season — and the big man made the most of his opportunity.

Phillips went up against the athletic Paddy Ryder at the MCG on Saturday and had the measure of last year’s All-Australian ruckman in an impressive performance.

In his first match since Round 7, the red-haired Lauderdale product won the hitout battle 42-28, including 14 to advantage, to give Carlton first use of the ball at the stoppages.

He also picked up 12 possessions and slotted a telling goal late in the third quarter that saw the Blues cut the gap to just two points at the final change against Port Adelaide.

While the Power ran away with victory in the last term, the showing of Phillips was timely, especially with Kreuzer in some doubt to return for this weekend’s clash against Brisbane.

He wasn’t the only Tassie big man to shine in Round 15, with Toby Nankervis playing a starring role alongside Jack Riewoldt in Richmond’s win against Sydney on Thursday night.

While two-time Coleman medallist Riewoldt took the accolades with a career-high 16 marks (seven contested) and booted three goals from 21 disposals, Nankervis led the charge from the middle of the ground.

Against his former side, the 23-year-old gathered 18 touches to go with a gamehigh 10 tackles, while beating Callum Sinclair 41-39 in the hitout battle.

Gold Coast handed over its second pick in last year’s draft for Lachie Weller and the Burnie product produced his best showing as a Sun in the loss to Collingwood.

Weller had 26 touches and 10 marks in a rebounding role from half-back, gaining a match-high 733m in the process.

ALWAYS NEXT WEEK

JAKE Kolodjashnij had a night to forget against the Western Bulldogs on Friday, nearly giving away more free kicks than possessions in the Cats’ loss after the siren.

Kolodjashnij was statless in the first quarter and finished with just seven for the match — while conceding five free kicks.