Richmond assistant coach Blake Caracella provides ‘Roar Vision’ with an insight into the progress being made by talented, young Tiger midfielder Corey Ellis.

Solid development

“I’ve been with him 18 months now, and he’s really coming on . . . He’s been injured a lot for the last four years and has missed a bit of training, so he’s trying to get his body the right size to play inside ‘mid’ against AFL players. It takes quite a while to develop that body and he’s slowly getting there. He’s had a great last three or four weeks of footy, winning the ball inside. You could see on the weekend (v Williamstown in the VFL), he played quite well and he put his name forward for (AFL) selection.” 

Found his niche in the midfield

“He’s also actually playing in a consistent role now in the midfield . . . He’d been playing half-back, he’d played on a wing. The last four weeks he’s played inside mid and gone well. We all want to make sure that he can play a whole game of footy. He’s in the VFL for a reason – there’s some good players in front of him. He needs to make sure he can play at that consistent level the whole time.”

His on-field attributes

“He’s got really clean hands, he’s strong over the ball, has got great vision, and when he gets it you know something good is going to happen. “He’s a great left-foot kick . . . He’s really classy with the footy in his hands and he’s starting to get the ball 30 times a game now, too, which is really beneficial for the team.

Trying to break into the senior side as an inside mid

“That’s where he’s playing at the moment and, along with Anthony Miles, who got a game (at senior level) last week and Sam Lloyd, they all need to be able to play somewhere else at the same time. But, in saying that, Corey’s been fantastic in there the last three or four weeks.”

Improved defensive work

“His tackle numbers have come up . . . On the weekend he had six tackles, and he’s getting more involved in the game. Not only is he winning the ball, but if he’s not winning the ball he’s tackling and making sure he’s got a defensive presence.”