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Phillips aims for Crows' AFLW flag dynasty

3 minute read

Crows captain Erin Phillips has referred to the achievements of her dad and brother-in-law when talking about the need for the Crows to capitalise in the AFLW.

ERIN PHILLIPS of the Crows runs to the coin toss during the NAB AFLW match between the Carlton Blues and the Adelaide Crows at Ikon Park in Melbourne, Australia.
ERIN PHILLIPS of the Crows runs to the coin toss during the NAB AFLW match between the Carlton Blues and the Adelaide Crows at Ikon Park in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images

Erin Phillips wants to add a third dynasty to her esteemed family's Australian Rules success.

Her father Greg turned 60 on Tuesday, five days before Phillips captains Adelaide in the AFLW grand final against Carlton.

The Crows will start red-hot favourites to win their second premiership in three years.

Greg is a revered figure at SANFL club Port Adelaide, where the key defender played in eight premiership teams.

Apart from 343 games for the SA Magpies, he also played 80 games for Collingwood.

Erin's brother-in-law Shaun Burgoyne similarly has racked up the flags - Port Adelaide's only AFL premiership in 2004, then Hawthorn's 2013-15 three-peat.

The 33-year-old referred to her father and Burgoyne when talking about the need for Adelaide to make the most of their opportunity.

Phillips, the inaugural AFLW best and fairest player, has starred again this season and the Crows have kicked 21 goals to two in their past two games.

"When you get a group as special as this, that's when you really want to reward yourselves and be in a position like this," Phillips told the AFLW website.

"I grew up in a family of success.

"Dad played in nine and won eight, so I'm hoping to win No.2, but a fair way to go to catch him.

"Shaun, my brother-in-law, I think he's won four."

Phillips has no thoughts of retirement, with the former WNBA basketballer again referring to her brother-in-law.

Burgoyne, 36, has played 359 matches for the Power and Hawks.

"I said I'd retire at the age he does, so if he can play until he's 40, I'd be happy," she said.

"I've always said I will play until I physically can't any more and I stop enjoying it.

"(Neither) of those two things are even close at the moment."

One of her opponents this Sunday will be Carlton forward Tayla Harris, who shrugged off last week's online abuse to star in their upset preliminary final win over Fremantle.

Phillips said despite the disappointment of what happened to Harris, the women's game must focus on maintaining its momentum.

"People who don't think women's footy is a great product at this point in time, probably are never going to, so it's not about convincing them any more," she said.

"We've got to keep driving (the positives) and building our supporter base and they're the true supporters and they're the ones we care about.

"It's like my family has been part of that success."

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