In the countdown to the 2015 National Draft, we discuss the whole draft experience with Richmond’s five 2014 pick-ups. Our final player to be featured is Corey Ellis.
Build-up to the draft
“The week before (the draft) was pretty nerve-wracking. I finished school two weeks before the draft and from then on it was just thinking about it, day in, day out. You try not to think about it, but it just comes up. The year was pretty busy. I played a fair bit of footy through different teams. You just try and play your game and get noticed . . . I was at home (on draft day). The whole day I had camera crews follow me around for the draft day documentary . . . I watched the draft at home, with a few friends and family. It was a good night.”
A dream come true
“When your name does get read out, it’s pretty exciting, and a big release of emotions. It was very overwhelming because it’s a life dream . . . It’s kind of been building up to that moment for your whole footy career, if that’s really what you want to do . . .”
Jack on the line
“Jack Riewoldt gave me a call probably 10 minutes after my name got called out, and that was overwhelming as well. It was a bit surreal having Jack Riewoldt on the other end of the phone. He just said congratulations, look forward to meeting you, because we were going to Townsville a couple of days after the draft . . .”
Sticking with Connor
“To be drafted with a kid (Connor Menadue) you’ve played the last three or four years with (at the Western Jets in the TAC Cup) was pretty nice, actually. It kind of made you relax a little bit. You didn’t go in there not knowing anyone. We kind of stuck together for the first few weeks, while we found our feet and, from then on, everything’s just grown . . . I also played a little bit of footy with Jase Castagna (at junior level). Going back a few years, to the under-12s, I played with Reece McKenzie in the Vic team . . . So, that was a while ago, and we’ve known each other since.”
Early days at Tigerland
“That was hard work . . . We went up to Townsville three days after the draft, and that was straight in the deep end. Solid days and then go to bed pretty early at night. It was hard work, but it was nice to be here and make new mates and build relationships with everyone else.”
Senior league debut
“I didn’t have much of a pre-season with injuries, so to debut Round 5 (v Geelong at the MCG) was a bit surreal . . . It kind of felt like it wasn’t me playing. You get out there and you’re amongst Joel Selwood and that kind of thing. And you think, is this really me? Is this what’s happening? It was an amazing experience. I had the whole family there . . . I was lucky enough to play a couple of games after that as well.”
Timely advice
“You’ve just got to take your opportunities. It’s a hard system to get into, let alone get a game in, so I think you’ve got to put your head down, work hard and gain the trust of your teammates. And, just get the job done.”
