Aussie dual sporting legend Erin Phillips pens emotional farewell after retiring from basketball
Phillips, who is a champion basketballer and AFLW legend, bid farewell to her first sport after leading Woodville to premiership glory in the NBL1's central conference on the weekend.
The 40-year-old has won it all in both sports, but will officially put her feet up now for good.
Phillips said it was a 'surreal' feeling.
'One day you wake up and it's all over,' she wrote on Instagram.
'A huge part of my life as an athlete has come to an end. Even when you know it's coming, it feels surreal to close such a significant chapter of your story.
'My knees ache as I write this — a reminder of the countless kilometres I've run on hardwood courts across the world. But even through the pain, I feel nothing but gratitude. These knees carried me further than I ever dreamed possible, and they've held me up far more times than they've let me down.
'I'm grateful for basketball — for the gift of this game, the places it has taken me, and the lessons it has taught me. From the Olympics, to the WNBA, to EuroLeague, and every game in between, the journey has been more than I ever imagined as a kid with a ball and a dream.
'I still remember a coach once telling me I'd only ever be good enough for the WNBL. I chose not to believe him. His doubt became fuel, and that fire has never gone out.'
Philllips began her basketball career in 2002 when as a teenager she made her WNBL debut for the Adelaide Lightning.
She was drafted to the Connecticut Sun in 2005 in the WNBA and went on to win two championships with the Indiana Fever (2012) and Phoenix Mercury (2014) and playing for five teams across nine years.
Phillips also solidified her spot in the national team and was a member of the Opals team that won silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and gold in the 2006 world championships.
She also spent time playing in Europe, winning three titles in Poland.
But for all her accolades in basketball, Phillips was most grateful for meeting her wife, Tracy.
Head to 7plus to watch Erin Phillips on Unfiltered.
'Most of all, I'm grateful that basketball introduced me to the love of my life, Tracy. Sometimes the game gives you more than wins and losses—it gives you the people who change your life forever,' she continued.
'And to everyone who has been part of this journey — my teammates, coaches, family, and friends—thank you.
'This was never a solo ride. Every step, every victory, every setback was carried on the strength of your support, belief, and love. You helped me chase dreams that once felt impossible, and together, we made them real.
'And so, thank you to the Woodville Warriors for being my final chapter. I couldn't be prouder that it ends here, surrounded by community, love, and the game that gave me everything.
'13 Out! ✌🏼🫶🏻'
While Phillips began and finished her sporting career in basketball, she also spent seven years in the AFLW.
She dominated the sport, winning three premierships, two league best and fairests and two AFLW grand final best on ground medals, among a host of other individual accolades.
Phillips was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame this year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
18 minutes ago
- West Australian
Unfiltered: Patrick Dangerfield reveals last conversation with Phil Walsh
Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield has revealed he told Phil Walsh he was leaving Adelaide just hours before the coach was killed. Dangerfield's eventual departure from the Crows was a key storyline throughout the 2015 season with the gun midfielder out of contract and a free agent. Unfiltered with Hamish McLachlan featuring Patrick Dangerfield, 9.30pm Wednesday following The Front Bar on Seven and 7plus . The move to the Cats was widely expected and it came as no surprise when the two clubs agreed on a deal on the opening day of the trade period. Dangerfield had waited until after the Crows' season ended before publicly announcing his desire to join Geelong, but he had told some key figures already. And one of those was Walsh, just hours before he was fatally stabbed by his son Cy. Speaking to Hamish McLachlan on Unfiltered, Dangerfield recounted how his news went down. 'The first person I told was Phil Walsh, we had green tea, he was a very big tea man, we caught up, it was a Thursday afternoon,' he said. 'I told him and he said that he would keep it to himself and I felt like I could believe him, he was that sort of guy. 'Ten hours later, David Noble (head of footy) was at the door at 5.30am. 'It was a strange moment in time when you tell the coach and he's not with us the next day. 'I got the front door, nothing good happens at 5.30am, (Noble) said 'pack your stuff and come in, Phil's dead.' 'It's almost easier to talk to because it still doesn't seem real, like it was just out of a movie.' Dangerfield said the next week was a blur as the club dealt with the shock situation. Unfiltered with Hamish McLachlan featuring Patrick Dangerfield, 9.30pm Wednesday following The Front Bar on Seven and 7plus . 'It was one of the toughest weeks I've experienced. Emma Barr, who's our player development manager at the time, she was incredible in keeping the group united in that sense,' he said. 'It was extremely difficult on everyone in the building because we'd had a couple of down years and we were playing some really good footy and there was some solid direction. 'He was ruthless in terms the way of he coached and communicated but he was also a father figure in the way he explained things.' Adelaide's clash against Geelong was cancelled before the Crows headed to Perth for an emotionally charged clash against West Coast Walsh had also spent time at the Eagles and the players locked arms in solidarity in powerful post-match scenes. 'We split the points with the Cats and then we went over to West Coast the following week and that week it was just like the emotional release after that game was enormous,' he said. 'It wasn't closure by any means, but the end of that game and locking arms with the West Coast players ... that was a pretty interesting time. 'We experienced so much in life together, unfortunately we experienced something that no one should have to do deal with it, but we did and we only had each other.' Unfiltered with Hamish McLachlan featuring Patrick Dangerfield, 9.30pm Wednesday following The Front Bar on Seven and 7plus .
Perth Now
32 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Patrick Dangerfield reveals last conversation with Phil Walsh
Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield has revealed he told Phil Walsh he was leaving Adelaide just hours before the coach was killed. Dangerfield's eventual departure from the Crows was a key storyline throughout the 2015 season with the gun midfielder out of contract and a free agent. Unfiltered with Hamish McLachlan featuring Patrick Dangerfield, 9.30pm Wednesday following The Front Bar on Seven and 7plus. The move to the Cats was widely expected and it came as no surprise when the two clubs agreed on a deal on the opening day of the trade period. Dangerfield had waited until after the Crows' season ended before publicly announcing his desire to join Geelong, but he had told some key figures already. And one of those was Walsh, just hours before he was fatally stabbed by his son Cy. Speaking to Hamish McLachlan on Unfiltered, Dangerfield recounted how his news went down. Dangerfield opens up on Unfiltered. Credit: Seven 'The first person I told was Phil Walsh, we had green tea, he was a very big tea man, we caught up, it was a Thursday afternoon,' he said. 'I told him and he said that he would keep it to himself and I felt like I could believe him, he was that sort of guy. 'Ten hours later, David Noble (head of footy) was at the door at 5.30am. 'It was a strange moment in time when you tell the coach and he's not with us the next day. 'I got the front door, nothing good happens at 5.30am, (Noble) said 'pack your stuff and come in, Phil's dead.' 'It's almost easier to talk to because it still doesn't seem real, like it was just out of a movie.' Dangerfield said the next week was a blur as the club dealt with the shock situation. Unfiltered with Hamish McLachlan featuring Patrick Dangerfield, 9.30pm Wednesday following The Front Bar on Seven and 7plus. 'It was one of the toughest weeks I've experienced. Emma Barr, who's our player development manager at the time, she was incredible in keeping the group united in that sense,' he said. 'It was extremely difficult on everyone in the building because we'd had a couple of down years and we were playing some really good footy and there was some solid direction. 'He was ruthless in terms the way of he coached and communicated but he was also a father figure in the way he explained things.' Adelaide's clash against Geelong was cancelled before the Crows headed to Perth for an emotionally charged clash against West Coast Walsh had also spent time at the Eagles and the players locked arms in solidarity in powerful post-match scenes. 'We split the points with the Cats and then we went over to West Coast the following week and that week it was just like the emotional release after that game was enormous,' he said. 'It wasn't closure by any means, but the end of that game and locking arms with the West Coast players ... that was a pretty interesting time. 'We experienced so much in life together, unfortunately we experienced something that no one should have to do deal with it, but we did and we only had each other.' Unfiltered with Hamish McLachlan featuring Patrick Dangerfield, 9.30pm Wednesday following The Front Bar on Seven and 7plus.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Bronco Ben walks like an Egyptian into NRL dream
Tough-as-teak Brisbane prop Ben Talty is the fragrance king of the NRL and fast asserting himself as a late bloomer rookie with a long career ahead of him. The 26-year-old former North Sydney Bears captain has been a barnstormer off the bench for the Broncos in their late season surge and off the field he is kicking goals galore. Talty has a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In cahoots with best mate and fellow Broncos prop Fletcher Baker, he is co-founder of Nefertum, a luxury fragrance brand that blends pure Egyptian oils with Australian craftsmanship. The name pays homage to Nefertiti, the famous queen of ancient Egypt. "Fletcher and I decided we wanted to go to Egypt one year but we didn't have the idea of going and setting up a fragrance business," Talty grinned. "My mother told me to go and try out an oil shop, and we did that at a couple of shops over there. "We kept in touch with a good friend of ours over there, an awesome fella, and he's our supplier. He sends it over here and we just check it and sell it." What former Broncos hardmen like Peter Ryan, Tonie Carroll and Shane Webcke would make of it is anyone's guess, but you can bet your bottom dollar they would be in admiration of Talty's displays after getting his late shot at the NRL and vindicating coach Michael Maguire's faith in him. Talty, a Muswellbrook Rams junior, has scored three tries in his five NRL games this year after signing with Brisbane mid-season and brings punch and thrust every time he comes on. "It's something I thought that would never come true," Talty said. "I was working away at North Sydney. You play footy for so long and you get to a certain age and you start to question whether it's all going to work out. "I'm just fortunate enough that Madge (Maguire) and the rest of the staff and recruitment put a little bit of faith in me. "I grew up on a horse stud just out of Muswellbrook in the Hunter (Valley), so my parents had to always take me to training Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It was a four-hour round trip, so being able to repay them for this and be in this position and make them proud, it's just such an honour to do that." Talty is on a train-and-trial deal until the end of 2026. The Broncos could upgrade that at any stage. Perth Bears fans are already clamouring for Talty to be a foundation player in 2027 when they enter the NRL. "All I ever wanted to do was play first grade, and the Broncos made that come true so I'm quite content with where I am at currently," he said. "The Bears will always have a deep place in my heart because they helped build the foundation of where I am now. "I'm still a long way from where I want to be as well. It's a great start, but I'm looking further ahead." Talty was a Newcastle junior from the age of 15 so can't wait to take on the Knights away on Sunday. "They helped pave the way. It should be an unreal experience," he said. Tough-as-teak Brisbane prop Ben Talty is the fragrance king of the NRL and fast asserting himself as a late bloomer rookie with a long career ahead of him. The 26-year-old former North Sydney Bears captain has been a barnstormer off the bench for the Broncos in their late season surge and off the field he is kicking goals galore. Talty has a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In cahoots with best mate and fellow Broncos prop Fletcher Baker, he is co-founder of Nefertum, a luxury fragrance brand that blends pure Egyptian oils with Australian craftsmanship. The name pays homage to Nefertiti, the famous queen of ancient Egypt. "Fletcher and I decided we wanted to go to Egypt one year but we didn't have the idea of going and setting up a fragrance business," Talty grinned. "My mother told me to go and try out an oil shop, and we did that at a couple of shops over there. "We kept in touch with a good friend of ours over there, an awesome fella, and he's our supplier. He sends it over here and we just check it and sell it." What former Broncos hardmen like Peter Ryan, Tonie Carroll and Shane Webcke would make of it is anyone's guess, but you can bet your bottom dollar they would be in admiration of Talty's displays after getting his late shot at the NRL and vindicating coach Michael Maguire's faith in him. Talty, a Muswellbrook Rams junior, has scored three tries in his five NRL games this year after signing with Brisbane mid-season and brings punch and thrust every time he comes on. "It's something I thought that would never come true," Talty said. "I was working away at North Sydney. You play footy for so long and you get to a certain age and you start to question whether it's all going to work out. "I'm just fortunate enough that Madge (Maguire) and the rest of the staff and recruitment put a little bit of faith in me. "I grew up on a horse stud just out of Muswellbrook in the Hunter (Valley), so my parents had to always take me to training Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It was a four-hour round trip, so being able to repay them for this and be in this position and make them proud, it's just such an honour to do that." Talty is on a train-and-trial deal until the end of 2026. The Broncos could upgrade that at any stage. Perth Bears fans are already clamouring for Talty to be a foundation player in 2027 when they enter the NRL. "All I ever wanted to do was play first grade, and the Broncos made that come true so I'm quite content with where I am at currently," he said. "The Bears will always have a deep place in my heart because they helped build the foundation of where I am now. "I'm still a long way from where I want to be as well. It's a great start, but I'm looking further ahead." Talty was a Newcastle junior from the age of 15 so can't wait to take on the Knights away on Sunday. "They helped pave the way. It should be an unreal experience," he said. Tough-as-teak Brisbane prop Ben Talty is the fragrance king of the NRL and fast asserting himself as a late bloomer rookie with a long career ahead of him. The 26-year-old former North Sydney Bears captain has been a barnstormer off the bench for the Broncos in their late season surge and off the field he is kicking goals galore. Talty has a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In cahoots with best mate and fellow Broncos prop Fletcher Baker, he is co-founder of Nefertum, a luxury fragrance brand that blends pure Egyptian oils with Australian craftsmanship. The name pays homage to Nefertiti, the famous queen of ancient Egypt. "Fletcher and I decided we wanted to go to Egypt one year but we didn't have the idea of going and setting up a fragrance business," Talty grinned. "My mother told me to go and try out an oil shop, and we did that at a couple of shops over there. "We kept in touch with a good friend of ours over there, an awesome fella, and he's our supplier. He sends it over here and we just check it and sell it." What former Broncos hardmen like Peter Ryan, Tonie Carroll and Shane Webcke would make of it is anyone's guess, but you can bet your bottom dollar they would be in admiration of Talty's displays after getting his late shot at the NRL and vindicating coach Michael Maguire's faith in him. Talty, a Muswellbrook Rams junior, has scored three tries in his five NRL games this year after signing with Brisbane mid-season and brings punch and thrust every time he comes on. "It's something I thought that would never come true," Talty said. "I was working away at North Sydney. You play footy for so long and you get to a certain age and you start to question whether it's all going to work out. "I'm just fortunate enough that Madge (Maguire) and the rest of the staff and recruitment put a little bit of faith in me. "I grew up on a horse stud just out of Muswellbrook in the Hunter (Valley), so my parents had to always take me to training Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It was a four-hour round trip, so being able to repay them for this and be in this position and make them proud, it's just such an honour to do that." Talty is on a train-and-trial deal until the end of 2026. The Broncos could upgrade that at any stage. Perth Bears fans are already clamouring for Talty to be a foundation player in 2027 when they enter the NRL. "All I ever wanted to do was play first grade, and the Broncos made that come true so I'm quite content with where I am at currently," he said. "The Bears will always have a deep place in my heart because they helped build the foundation of where I am now. "I'm still a long way from where I want to be as well. It's a great start, but I'm looking further ahead." Talty was a Newcastle junior from the age of 15 so can't wait to take on the Knights away on Sunday. "They helped pave the way. It should be an unreal experience," he said.
