NEWS: Young Saints player nearing a new contract

Someone has likened him to a youthful Marcus Bontempelli.

Another second-year player is supposedly nearing a new contract as the Essendon Bombers announced the extension of Elijah Tsatas.

The Sports Minded player agency is reportedly negotiating Mattaes Phillipou’s contract extension with St Kilda, according to The Herald Sun.

At the 2022 AFL Draft, Phillipou was chosen with pick ten. He is among the few second-year top-10 picks who have not yet agreed to a contract extension with their respective teams.

Having just turned 19 in December, Phillipou enjoyed a strong first campaign with the Saints and demonstrated his immense potential, which might make him one of the game’s greatest stars.

The young player, who is mostly a forward, gave indications that he could develop into a powerful midfielder in the future.

Former two-time AFL premiership champion David King likened him to a younger Marcus Bontempelli following the conclusion of his first season.

King had previously stated on SEN Afternoons, “I just want to see how far or what the ceiling is for Mattaes Phillipou.”

“I believe that at some point in the future, he might just throw the club on his back, a la Marcus Bontempelli.

“2024 is probably not going to happen. However, it would be enormous if he could simply play for a few games and give us little glimpses into his abilities, as I think he is a really good player.

“The good judges at St Kilda are so excited by what he’s about to bring to that football club.”

Jevon Phillipou, his 16-year-old brother, has emerged as a top prospect for the upcoming draft, while Phillipou prepares to extend his contract with the Saints.

Jevon, who plays elite basketball and is presently in the process of qualifying for the Under-20 Athletics World Championships as a decathlete, is determined to fulfill his ambition of playing in the AFL.

It is known that, at the age of sixteen, he was regarded as a superior player to his older brother Mattaes.