"I'm still worth a shot": Inside the rise of Nathan Philactides
18/08/2026
On a whiteboard inside the players’ meeting room at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval, the words ‘chip on the shoulder’ appear in bold – by accident or by design – under the heading ‘why we are we well prepared?’
They are the same words that gun Zebra Nathan Philactides used after starring in Sandringham’s maiden win this season against Werribee, declaring in an interview with journalist Paul Amy that he was out to prove a host of people wrong.
Having been touted as a top-end junior, Philactides looked bound for the AFL after a stellar underage career that included selection in the AFL Academy, being named co-captain of the Oakleigh Chargers in the Talent League and appearances in all four Vic Metro games at the Under-18 National Championships in 2023.
Widely considered among those likely to find a home within the first round of the 2023 AFL Draft, the then 18-year-old was ultimately dealt the brutal blow of hearing his name go uncalled, but has since turned that disappointment into quiet determination.
“It was a pretty tough period,” he said.
“You make all those squads and think that you're a pretty good chance to get picked up, but it just didn't go my way over the draft.
“But I'm still playing with a chip on my shoulder - still trying to make it, and prove that I'm still worth a shot.”
The 21-year-old has certainly put his best foot forward in his first season wearing the yellow, black and blue as he continues to chase the dream of earning an AFL contract.
Keen VFL observer Paul Amy has tipped Philactides to be among the top handful of contenders for the 2026 Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal, which recognises the most promising player aged under 24 in the VFL, with the past 19 winners all having gone on to play in the top flight.
With performances such as his best on ground efforts in wins over Werribee in Round 2 and reigning Premiers Footscray in Round 12, it’s not hard to see why.
28 disposals, four marks, six tackles and a goal against the Tigers earned Philactides nine coaches votes, a feat he repeated with a 34-disposal showing against the Bulldogs, but the most impressive part was that he did so in completely different positions.
“I think against Werribee, playing in the midfield the whole game was good,” he said.
“I was able to show a different string to my bow, and then obviously against Footscray, had a good performance off half back as well.
“So, I think it was good to be able to show in two games that I can play in two different positions as well.”
With incredible versatility, it is astonishing to think the dashing defender struggled to earn a game at Box Hill, having spent the previous two seasons on the rival VFL club’s list.
Being at an AFL aligned club has its advantages, but Philactides found himself playing local footy for home club Blackburn in the Eastern Football League most weeks, making way for Hawthorn players in the Box Hill lineup and mustering just 12 games across two years.
His magnet never left the board in his first year at the Zebras, though, delivering him the consistency he craved, and on which he has thrived.
“I think the more exposure you can get to the level, the better you'll adapt,” he said.
“That's just the way it is with AFL aligned clubs sometimes, no matter how well you play, you sort of just get squeezed down.
“I think being able to play weekly and build some continuity always helps.”
Rubbing shoulders with AFL players on a weekly basis provided plenty of motivation, though, as did seeing a close mate plucked from a very similar situation to now be one of the first picked each week at an AFL club.
“It was good being able to see how they go about their footy,” Philactides said of playing alongside Hawthorn players at Box Hill.
“I think the thing with Box Hill was I saw Max Hall get drafted (to St Kilda) out of there, and sort of thought, I'll try to do what he did and stick it out there.
“But then the end of the year came, and I'm happy with my decision to come to Sandringham.”
The Zebras faithful have assistant coach Nathan Brown to thank for enticing the gun half back to Bayside, with the former Melbourne star spruiking the opportunity for more exposure, as well as the chance to play alongside a close friend, which factored heavily into Philactides’ decision.
“It was the whole reshaping of Sandringham with Nathan Brown coming down (that influenced the decision to play for the Zebras),” he said.
“I played with (his son) Kynan all through juniors, so at the end of the season, he just reached out.
“He was like, ‘I’m going to be a coach down at Sandy this year, would you be able to move?’
“And, yeah, the rest is history.”
That it certainly is.
Having averaged 23.8 disposals, 5.4 rebound 50s and just shy of three tackles a game in a stunning first campaign for Sandringham, Philactides will almost certainly challenge for the top gong at the Neil Bencraft Best and Fairest in a fortnight’s time, with the man himself noting his growth as a player in helping him put together the stellar season.
“I think I've had a relatively strong season,” he said.
“I had some areas to work on throughout the past couple of seasons, and I feel like I've worked on them really well this year and almost made them a strength of mine.”
Photos - Maddie Green
Written by Alexander Dabb - Sandringham FC Media