New recruit Will Phillips can’t wait to begin his time at Arden Street.
Selected at pick three at Wednesday night’s NAB AFL Draft, the classy midfielder is ready to hit the ground running.
“I’m over the moon. It’s starting to sink in now and I’m really excited to get started at North Melbourne,” he told the media.
“I had no inkling (of being selected by North); it was a big surprise and the best moments in life are when it’s a surprise. It was one of the best moments of my life.
“It’s a dream come true.”
Barely minutes after hearing his name read out by Gillon McLachlan on the draft coverage, Phillips had a surprise knock on the door.
Waiting with the famous number 29 jumper in hand, none other than the games-record holder, Brent Harvey.
“I didn’t know how much he (Harvey) was connected to the club … apart from having played 400 games there,” Phillips joked.
“He works closely with the first and second year players, so I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
While a visit from one of the club’s greats was pretty amazing in itself, the biggest surprise was yet to come.
“It’s a huge honour to take his number which hasn’t been occupied for four years now,” Phillips said of taking the 29 guernsey.
“It’s a massive honour. There’s big shoes to fill, but I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
A whirlwind night also included a call with new coach David Noble.
“Just on the phone (they spoke), and he (Noble) seems like a great bloke and I think really good for a club which is going through a transitioning period,” Phillips added.
“I’m excited to get to work with him and we’re both new, so hopefully we can build something together.”
Phillips was joined by his family for a tour of the Arden Street facilities, and is expected to join in training from Friday.
