Born Dennis Keith Phillis,[2] his schoolmates likened him to noted English Test cricket pace bowler Fred Trueman.
[3][4][5][better source needed] Phillis began his senior career with Glenelg in the SANFL in 1966 as a Centre half back under the coaching of Len Fitzgerald.
Quirkily enough, in the 1973 grand final win by Glenelg over North Adelaide, he failed to kick a goal.
This is all the more remarkable when considering that former league leading goal kickers Jack Owens (1927–1928, 1932) and Colin Churchett (1948–1951) are also Glenelg champions.
As of 2022[update], Phillis is third on the all time SANFL goal scoring list behind legendary North Adelaide full-forward Ken Farmer (1,417 from 1929–41), and Port Adelaide champion Tim Evans (992 from 1975–86): Owens sits 4th on the list with 827 goals, while Churchett is 15th with 555.