NEW Blue Sam Philp isn’t putting a ceiling on what he can achieve in his debut year.
Selected by Carlton with pick No.20 in the 2019 NAB AFL Draft, Philp is two months into his career in Navy Blue.
Eager to see what 2020 holds for him, Philp shared his goals for the year on the latest episode of the Over the PA podcast.
“I’ve been one who’s really dug into the goal-setting throughout the years, but I think one of the main bits of advice from ‘Crippa’ and ‘Walshy’ was just to not really set any limits on what I want to achieve this year,” Philp said.
“They said, why not aim for Round 1? Why not aim to play a few games this year? So that’s kind of the mindset I’m rolling with at the moment.
“Looking over the season, it’s just to hopefully play as many games as I can and not really set any limits on what I want to achieve.”
Having missed out on Vic Metro selection early in his draft year, a strong finish to his under-18s campaign - which culminated in a Northern Knights best and fairest - saw him shoot up the ranks in the eyes of the recruiters.
Known for his pace through the midfield, Philp has found himself slotting in seamlessly amongst his fellow first-year Blues.
“Once you’re in the Club, no-one really reasons that at all. All the first-year boys are on kind of the same level and are treated and respected the same,” he said.
"The players have to earn their spot — we’re not just going to throw them in there."#BoundByBlue
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) January 21, 2020
“Now that I’m in here, it’s about really earning the respect of the current players and coaching group and trying to do everything we can to hopefully play a game this year.”
The 18-year-old hasn’t had to look far for a teammate who showed exactly how to enter the AFL system.
Detailing a chance conversation - and subsequent friendship - with Neville Jetta, Philp said the advice given to him by the Melbourne defender led him to one man.
“He said to try and find someone who’s really professional, really disciplined and almost go under their wing a bit,” he said.
“It has been hard as a first-year player because we’re on limited minutes throughout sessions, but Sam Walsh for me is someone who I’ve been really trying to keep an eye on. “He’s been a great support for me as well.”
