FROM training at the Northern Knights to streaming the draft on Kayo to becoming a Blue.

How’s that for a Wednesday night?

It was the reality for Sam Philp, who was drafted to Carlton with selection No.20 on a dramatic night at Marvel Stadium.
Not that Philp was there: he was at his family home in Greensborough, having pizza with his family when his name was called.

While he had a “small inkling” when the Blues undertook a series of trades, the overriding emotion was “purely overwhelming”.

“I still can’t quite believe it. It probably sunk in a bit more this morning compared to last night,” Philp said.

“I was actually at Northern Knights training: I’ve been doing that for the last couple of weeks. I got home at 7pm, I hadn’t showered, I hadn’t eaten dinner or anything.

“With the live-pick trading, I wasn’t sure what was going on. Hearing [my name] was pure shock, pure excitement.

“Pretty much from there, I had heaps of people storming into home. It was a night I’ll never forget.”

Overcoming the disappointment of no Vic Metro selection, Philp put together an ultra-consistent season for the Knights. Averaging 23 disposals per game, the pacy inside midfielder finished the year as their Brent Harvey Best and Fairest winner.

His form for the NAB League side clearly resonated well with Carlton’s recruiters, who also witnessed Philp record the fastest time of anyone in the 20-metre sprint.

Feeling as though he interviewed well with the decision-makers at Ikon Park, Philp said he used the earlier snub as “fire in the belly”.

“Leaving both of my meetings with Carlton, I had a good impression and I felt like I left a good impression,” he said.

“At the time [of being overlooked by Vic Metro], I was pretty disappointed. I got reassured pretty quickly that it wasn’t the end of the world.

“I felt like I turned it around and managed to be a first-round draft pick, which is quite unbelievable. I hope it makes a strong impact across the leagues… if you do miss out, it’s not the end of the world.”

With his explosive pace his main asset (“I think I’m pretty clean and have good stoppage craft”), Philp plays predominantly as a genuine inside midfielder.

Maintaining that he knows he has a number of focus areas in the ensuing pre-seasons, he knows he won’t have to look far for inspiration.

“All of my siblings and my cousins, that’s all they said to me: [playing] with Patty Cripps and these type of guys. It’s a massive thrill,” he said.

“It’s still quite a show. I spoke to Patty this morning, I spoke to Sam Docherty last night.

“Once I get in there, they’re going to be teammates and hopefully I can form some good bonds with them.”

Coming from a family of Richmond supporters, there’s no doubt what colour the house will be in the lead-up to Round 1.

“They will change yellow and black for Navy Blue,” he said.

“They’re just ecstatic. [Dad] is a pretty passionate Richmond man but he has shifted over. I’m massive for the Blues now.

“Carlton is on the verge of some success and it’s an exciting time, I can’t wait.”