There seem to be few more readymade key defensive options around the country than Ethan Phillips, the winner of this year's Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal. The Port Melbourne defender was in contention to be drafted out of the junior pathway, but has emerged again as a prospect at 23-years-old. The Borough backman was resolute across 15 VFL outings this season, putting up ridiculous intercept numbers as the standout young player in the competition.

Phillips' game revolves around intercepting, a crucial part of modern day defending. He averaged a whopping 11.5 intercept possessions and 5.1 intercept marks for the Borough, also getting his fist in for 3.7 spoils per game. Needless to say, he proved difficult to get past with such astute reading of the play and commitment to the aerial contest. Plying his trade against AFL-listed forwards in the semi-national state league, his efforts were well under the eye of recruiters.

The mature-ager will look to become yet another Fothergill-Round-Mitchell medallist to enter the top flight directly after taking out said honour, and his skillset offers arguably much of what is required to be a tall defender in the AFL. Having built his frame and become established at a high level, Phillips is now more ready than ever to make the step-up.