'Thoughts of going home': The sliding doors moment behind Phillips' rise
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Boom Panthers rookie Billy Phillips has revealed he nearly walked away from his rugby league dream as he battled home sickness during his first year in Sydney.
The 22-year-old has been dubbed the next Isaah Yeo but his NRL career was nearly over before it even began.
A Lake Cargelligo product who progressed through the Panthers junior pathway before moving to Sydney at the end of 2021 to chase his rugby league dream, Phillips couldn't crack the club's SG Ball side and featured in just one game in his first season.
Billy Phillips Try
Living more than six hours away from his friends and family, the young forward struggled with the adjustment and spent countless hours pondering a return home.
Now as he prepares to play his first preliminary final in Sunday's blockbuster against the Knights at Accor Stadium, Phillips has revealed how close he came to walking away.
"There were definitely thoughts of going back home," Phillips told NRL.com. "The move was hard, I was getting home sick and wasn't sure if this was for me.
"I had a great crew around me. The house parents that I moved in with and the boys I was with all pushed me to keep going. I got to train with the [Panthers development squad] Pearls and got to train with the Jersey Flegg boys the rest of the year.
"That was a good experience and got me ready for the next year. Then the next year I was off and racing."
Match: Panthers v Knights
Finals Week 3 -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
A rugged youngster who gets through a mountain of work on the football field, Phillips grew up working on his parents' farm in western NSW.
After a number of epic battles in the backyard with his brothers, the forward attended boarding school at Red Bend College in Forbes.
A rugby league nursery that has produced Billy Burns, Josh Miller, Joel Thompson and a host of others, Phillips' time at the school set him on a path to the NRL.
"I was playing for Red Bend and the Western Rams when [Penrith pathways staff] Jim Jones and Sam Jones were out there and scouted me," Phillips said.
"I was in Year 11, they rang me up and asked if I was keen on coming down and seeing what the Panthers are all about. Of course I said yes.
"They used to come out to Orange and pick us all up in a bus. With school it was hard for us to get up on weekdays so we'd get the bus on weekends and train before going back home. There were a few nerves on the bus because we were still young but I wouldn't change anything."
Phillips made his NRL debut in Round 26 last year when coach Ivan Cleary opted to rest the bulk of his squad and he entered the 2026 expecting limited opportunities in the top flight.
Billy Phillips Try
Instead, he has played in 22 games this season and developed into a key figure in the Panthers pack.
A hardworking forward with crafty skills, Phillips was often compared to Yeo during his time in the Penrith pathway and it didn't take long for the skipper to see why.
"He's been outstanding for us," Yeo said. "We've seen within our four walls how good he's been, not just going into the middle but helping out on the edge; he defends really well.
"His stints have been really big for us. He's got more confidence as the season has gone on, and his last two pre-seasons have been outstanding. There's real confidence from the group with what he can bring, and he's shown that this season. It's a big game for him, and he'll go out and do his job wonderfully."
Phillips made his finals debut in Penrith's thrilling win over the Roosters a fortnight ago but the stakes go up another level on Sunday afternoon.
A crowd pushing 60,000 is expected to pack into Accor Stadium for the Panthers clash with Newcastle with a grand final berth on the line.
Last time they met: Panthers v Knights
Having had a taste of finals football already, Phillips is desperate to help Penrith book their spot in next week's decider.
"I learned what a finals game in the NRL feels like," Phillips said. "I could feel how different the intensity is and how much bigger it is.
"It's good to have that under my belt now and I'm looking forward to this week knowing what a real finals game feels like."
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