In the seventh part of a richmondfc.com.au post-season special series, we assess the top three Tigers (in alphabetical order) to keep an eye on when 2016 comes around.
Corey Ellis
Richmond’s first pick in the 2014 National Draft managed only six games during his debut season of league football this year, but the glimpses he showed, of the substantial ability he clearly possesses, excited the Tiger Army.
Ellis underwent minor foot surgery late last year, shortly after being drafted by the Tigers, which delayed his start to the 2015 season.
It didn’t take long, however, for him to break into the senior side at Richmond upon his return from injury.
He made an encouraging AFL debut in the Round 5 match against Geelong at the MCG, finishing with 13 disposals and a goal.
In the five further senior appearances Ellis made throughout the season, his standout attributes were composure and slick disposal via what appears to be a very trusty left foot.
Unfortunately, Ellis’ season was brought to a premature end when he started experiencing some more foot trouble. This time, however, it was on his other foot.
The Club subsequently opted to take a conservative approach with the talented teenager and booked him in for foot surgery straight away, to ensure that he’s ready for a big pre-season in the lead-up to 2016.
Given what he was able to display in brief bursts throughout his first season at the game’s highest level, a fit Corey Ellis is a tantalising prospect, indeed, for next year (and way beyond).
Ben Lennon
After playing his first senior game of the season in Round 5 (v Geelong), Lennon spent more than two months at VFL level with Richmond, before receiving a call-up for the Round 16 match against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
Lennon was a valuable contributor in Richmond’s victory over the Saints that day, kicking three goals – one of them from a brilliant snap over his head.
The Tigers’ first pick in the 2013 National Draft subsequently grew in confidence with each senior appearance he made.
He had a career-high 22 disposals and nine marks in the Round 20 win against Gold Coast at the MCG.
Two weeks later, on a cold, soggy Saturday night at the ‘G’, Lennon flew (literally) in the face of the conditions, equalling that nine-mark achievement in a highly-commendable performance.
Lennon was considered unlucky to be dropped from the Richmond side that lost to North Melbourne in the elimination final, with the selectors deciding to take a slightly different playing structure into the match.
Overall, however, Lennon had an impressive finish to the season, showcasing his marking ability, kicking skills and a clever football brain.
He learned plenty, too, about the importance of the defensive aspects of the game.
Expect him to take another significant step in his football development next year.
Ty Vickery
Vickery overcame after a relatively slow start to the year to be one of the most important members of Richmond’s line-up by season’s end.
The talented, tall Tiger forward finished with 31 goals (the second most at the Club behind Jack Riewoldt) in the 15 games he played for the season – 17 of them scored in the last five games.
Included in Vickery’s impressive, late-season, goalkicking form was a league career-high return of six goals against Collingwood at the MCG in Round 21.
He also had a career-high 21 disposals, and took 10 marks that day, in a performance rated the best Vickery has produced at AFL level, which subsequently earned him three Brownlow Medal votes.
Since making his senior league debut back in 2009, Vickery has shown signs of the considerable talent that made Richmond so pleased to have snared him with its first pick (No. 8 overall) in the 2008 National Draft, but has struggled for consistency.
His strong finish to this season suggests that, at age 25, and with seven years’ AFL experience behind him, he’s clearly ready to have a significant impact on the AFL scene in 2016.
Recap the Tiger Top Threes so far:
2015 wins
Most improved players
Stats stars
Individual performances
Best team quarters
Young guns
