But the hard-running midfielder said playing on Anzac Day was “extra personal” for him. “I couldn’t imagine the experiences and everything he witnessed over there,” Phillips said. “He wasn’t necessarily right on the front line with the soldiers, but he did a lot of stuff behind the scenes and I can imagine everyone doing their job, their trade for the betterment of the collective, and whether it’s a footy team like the Collingwood footy club going out tomorrow or the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps, it’s similar messages and values. “Everyone plays their role at war and the same goes in a football game – everyone’s got their job and you do that to the best of your ability. “It’s about mateship, it’s about sacrifice, you’ve got to hit a contest hard, when it’s your turn to go, you go.

“Nothing symbolises that more than a game on Anzac Day and the messages that the Anzacs give us about our own life and how privileged we are to play this game.” Some of Phillips’ fondest childhood memories are of spending time with his great-grandfather on Anzac Day. “He lived a pretty long life and I was lucky enough to get to know him during my first 16-17 years,” Phillips said. “He didn’t talk too much, but on Anzac Day he always used to march and I remember doing the march when I was a kid with him just outside the Shrine with his badges and he always had his medals that he achieved and he was acknowledged for. “It’s a special time of year and remembering the people who fought for us and remembering the legacy they’ve left for society. We play footy to remind us of that and how important Anzac Day is.”

Phillips played in his first Anzac Day game last year, just his 10th AFL game, and the Oakleigh Chargers product believes that experience will serve him well for his second one on Wednesday. “I think I’ve had a bit more experience and just the feel for the game and the speed of the game now,” he said. “You can never really prepare for an Anzac Day clash. It’s definitely different and unique to any other home-and-away game, so there’s a different feel and a different spirit in the air and you’ve got to embrace that and encapsulate that and really just go with the feeling and play with a bit of heart and soul.” Since returning to the line-up for his fourth game late in 2016, Phillips has been a constant in the Collingwood side and has registered his two biggest disposal tallies in the past three weeks. Despite only having 28 games to his credit, the former No. 58 draft pick feels he already is comfortable at the top level and puts the rapid cementing of his place in the Magpies’ best 22 down to good preparation and playing whatever role he is asked to fulfil, whether that be in the midfield, on a wing or as a high forward.