He was a past student at St Mark’s and left Port Pirie in 2000 to study as a physical education teacher.

Phillips said that around 10 of his colleagues used to be his teachers and he has taken a quality from each one and is endeavouring to apply it to his own teaching.

On completing his university studies he travelled throughout England and Europe working as a teacher, tennis coach and a male nanny and spent time in the Austrian snow fields working in a pub and the Greek Islands as a weight board instructor/ski boat driver.

Before taking up his studies, Phillips played in the Port Football Club’s A grade premiership in 1999 alongside the following players whom he rates as stars in that team – the likes of Jamie McNamara, Chris Pollard and Damien Mellow.

On his return to Port Pirie he was quickly included in the Port’s senior side and is an integral part of the Port Bulldogs campaign to win this year’s SGL premiership.

Port’s coach Donny DePalma who played with Phillips in the 1999 premiership said, “He was a wonderful acquisition to our squad during the year and is well respected by all the players”.

“He displays excellent skills on both sides of his body and has very good decision making ability.”

The talented player who is extremely fit is in top form and recently scored nine goals in a personal best effort.

DePalma went on to say that he is very dangerous in front of goals and will play a vital role in the SGL grand final.

Phillips is confident the team will play well and said, “We had a good first half then a quiet patch and we have now come good again at the right time”.

“We won’t be changing our game plan but will go out and play the way we know we can.

“Donny is such a passionate coach and no one can doubt his enthusiasm.

“He coaches with the same style and dedication that he played the game.”

Phillips who is also a handy tennis player is a private tennis coach and has been signed for the A grade Railway Pennant team.

However at the moment, football is the topic consuming his mind. “We have to take Donny’s message into the game and give our absolute all because there is no next week.”

PHOTOl: HERE WE COME...

Port’s Greg Phillips was pictured yesterday having some fun before taking things more seriously in the SGL grand final on Saturday against Central Augusta. Phillips has been a major part of Port’s success this year.