All individual agendas are swept aside for Grand Final week, as the club focuses on the sport’s ultimate goal.

As a result, two milestones will be passed on the weekend to little fanfare.

Will Hoskin-Elliott is set to play his 100th AFL match against West Coast, while Tom Phillips is slated to reach the half-century.

Both have played an integral role in Collingwood reaching the 2018 decider, with both having played all 25 games which led to the last Saturday in September.

Hoskin Elliott’s streak of games played for the club stretches all the way back to his debut for the club in round one 2017, having made the switch from Greater Western Sydney the previous off-season.

This week will be his 48th straight match.

Streaks have been something of a theme in Hoskin-Elliott’s time at the club. In a statistical quirk, he kicked at least one goal in 14 straight games to begin the season; or a streak of 18 if you include the final four games of 2017.

In total, he has contributed 41 goals for the season, second at the club only to Jordan De Goey.

READ: Sanderson praises De Goey's attitude

Assistant coach Justin Longmuir says that the versatility of ‘WHE’ makes him a vital member of the side.

“Will’s got some real strengths that make him a top AFL player. He has size, running ability and athleticism,” Longmuir told Collingwood Media.

“He’s just such a hard match-up because he’s such an elite mark above his head, but he’s also really good at ground level and covers the ground.

“He can play half-back, wing and all the positions in the forward line, so he’s a really valuable member of the team.”


Will Hoskin-Elliott and Tom Phillips celebrate our Round 11 win over Fremantle with fans.

The Magpies’ other milestone man, Phillips, has had a breakout season in his third year at the club.

He has made one of the wing positions his own this year, opposite All-Australian and reigning Copeland Trophy winner Steele Sidebottom.

With most of the attention from opponents and pundits concentrated on the other side of the ground, Phillips has quietly gone about his business. Still, he has managed to accumulate just a fraction less than 23 disposals per match.

Longmuir says that Phillips’ enormous endurance base makes him perfect for the role of shuttling up and down the wing.

“Tommy’s work ethic is second to none. He started pre-season by winning our time trial, he works his backside off in training and in games,” Longmuir said.

“He also works really hard back to help our defence out. He uses his endurance to help the team.

“I think his skill level has really picked up this year, he’s been a really effective player for us with ball in hand, he’s hit the scoreboard.”

Hoskin-Elliott and Phillips’ milestones will certainly be ones to remember. The duo will hope that it is for the right reasons.