Luke will be cool hand for Ferrets
ADAM LUCIUS
03feb05
HE'S travelled from the cold of Canberra to the sweat and humidity of Townsville in search of a game of footy and played in two grand finals, but Luke Phillips will see out his career in the relative obscurity of park football - and he couldn't be happier.
The 29-year-old five-eighth-fullback has linked with Forestville in the revitalised Manly-Warringah A Grade competition, ending the briefest of retirements.
And while he says he is only a phone call away should the Sea Eagles run short of troops, Phillips insists he is content to play in front of hundreds instead of thousands on grounds where Eskys dot the sidelines and players turn up for work the next day.
``I'm pretty excited about it,'' he said after taking a stroll around Ferretville Oval.
``I don't know too much about the team or the competition just yet but I can't wait to get out there and play for fun without any real pressure.
``If Manly need help I'm around but my NRL days are pretty much behind me.
``There were just too many injuries in the end and then work commitments took over.''
Those commitments with LA Games, a company specialising in games machines for pubs, constantly brought him into contact with new Forestville coach Dave Hoban.
Phillips was just the sort of player the Ferret's boss needed.
``If he was fully fit and free of work commitments I've got no doubt he could play at that level (NRL) again, so to get him to Forestville is massive,'' Hoban said.
``He's played with quality players and under quality coaches and his experience and knowledge will be invaluable.
``It will be great for the young blokes to play with someone of his calibre.
``We're a young side and we'll be looking at Luke to help steer us around from five-eighth and just provide that touch of experience.''
Still at an age where players are entering the final stages of their NRL careers, Phillips jumped off a few stops early after stints at Canberra (1996), North Queensland (1997), Manly (1998-99) and the Roosters (2000-04).
He won a premiership at Bondi Junction in 2002 but is best remembered for his performance in a losing side in the 2000 decider against Brisbane.
``Winning the grand final was the highlight for me but that 2000 game is brought up a fair bit,'' Phillips said.
``I was pretty happy with what I achieved in my career and now I'm keen to put something back in and help `Hobes' out at the same time.''
The Ferrets will form part of a new-look A Grade competition featuring at least six teams with a heavy emphasis on home grown talent.
ADAM LUCIUS
03feb05
HE'S travelled from the cold of Canberra to the sweat and humidity of Townsville in search of a game of footy and played in two grand finals, but Luke Phillips will see out his career in the relative obscurity of park football - and he couldn't be happier.
The 29-year-old five-eighth-fullback has linked with Forestville in the revitalised Manly-Warringah A Grade competition, ending the briefest of retirements.
And while he says he is only a phone call away should the Sea Eagles run short of troops, Phillips insists he is content to play in front of hundreds instead of thousands on grounds where Eskys dot the sidelines and players turn up for work the next day.
``I'm pretty excited about it,'' he said after taking a stroll around Ferretville Oval.
``I don't know too much about the team or the competition just yet but I can't wait to get out there and play for fun without any real pressure.
``If Manly need help I'm around but my NRL days are pretty much behind me.
``There were just too many injuries in the end and then work commitments took over.''
Those commitments with LA Games, a company specialising in games machines for pubs, constantly brought him into contact with new Forestville coach Dave Hoban.
Phillips was just the sort of player the Ferret's boss needed.
``If he was fully fit and free of work commitments I've got no doubt he could play at that level (NRL) again, so to get him to Forestville is massive,'' Hoban said.
``He's played with quality players and under quality coaches and his experience and knowledge will be invaluable.
``It will be great for the young blokes to play with someone of his calibre.
``We're a young side and we'll be looking at Luke to help steer us around from five-eighth and just provide that touch of experience.''
Still at an age where players are entering the final stages of their NRL careers, Phillips jumped off a few stops early after stints at Canberra (1996), North Queensland (1997), Manly (1998-99) and the Roosters (2000-04).
He won a premiership at Bondi Junction in 2002 but is best remembered for his performance in a losing side in the 2000 decider against Brisbane.
``Winning the grand final was the highlight for me but that 2000 game is brought up a fair bit,'' Phillips said.
``I was pretty happy with what I achieved in my career and now I'm keen to put something back in and help `Hobes' out at the same time.''
The Ferrets will form part of a new-look A Grade competition featuring at least six teams with a heavy emphasis on home grown talent.
