While it wasn't the season the Hawks were hoping for, 2020 still managed to find a few positives in how Hawthorn went about their business, including the addition of now-former Collingwood midfielder Tom Phillips.
Phillips was traded to the Hawks in exchange for pick 65, a deal that shocked many fans across the league as the Magpies looked to have given up a standout role player for next to nothing.
The 24-year-old played 89 matches in the black and white, booting 44 goals as he shined in various roles for Collingwood, particularly thriving on the wing under Nathan Buckley.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Now preparing for his sixth season in the AFL and his first at Hawthorn, Phillips has opened up on his new life in the brown and gold when speaking with hawthornfc.co.au.
Phillips said he understood where his new club are placed moving forward and hopes to be an integral factor in having the Hawks return to the top-eight.
"My biggest goal is to come in and play my role and get around the boys. I want to lift the energy and lift the spirits after what was a pretty different 2020 season for us all," Phillips said.
"What we've already identified at the Hawks is there's a lot of talent and potential so hopefully for this year everyone can step up, keep working hard, listen to the coaches and hopefully we can all become better players.
"I think my strengths have always been on the outside, running and linking up, connecting the backs and forwards whilst playing on the wing.
"There's an opportunity, being on the wing or giving a chop-out inside, to help the team with my versatility. So I want to continue to be able to play inside the contest, so I just want to be able get a good balance in my game this year."
Tom Phillips was clinical after a rare error by foot from Sam Docherty.
We have a hot game of footy on our hands 🌶️#AFLBluesPies pic.twitter.com/aDXp8luxfh
— AFL (@AFL) August 30, 2020
Alastair Clarkson has been the mastermind behind the Hawks' successes of the past dozen years, with Phillips lauding his new mentor as both a coach and friend.
"He's been great, he is a unique individual," Phillips said on Clarkson.
"I think we get along pretty well. He is a bit of a jokester, he loves to have a laugh and have fun. Everyone knows him as the great coach that he is, he is well known for that, but I think he is a great people person as well and he seems like a super guy to go have dinner with and be your mate as well.
"He invests in the playing group and, despite only being here a week, I've really felt that. He's been awesome for me so far."
Hawthorn will face Essendon on Saturday, March 20 to begin their 2021 campaign, with Phillips having to wait until Round 21 to face his former side.
