With Richmond’s Gold Coast pre-season camp wrapped up and the JLT Community Series fast approaching, Brandon Ellis says the depth within the Tigers' list is one of the team's greatest assets.
“We’ve got so many people who are fit and firing at the moment,” Ellis said.
“You can’t fit 44 into 22 unfortunately, so everyone’s just got to keep putting their best foot forward.”
Ellis, in his eighth year as a Tiger, praised the work ethic of good mate and recent draftee Jake Aarts as he settles into Tigerland.
“We all just love the way he plays, he tackles hard, he’s hard at it, he just gives it his all and that’s all we can ask for,” he said.
“He’s settled in really well, you wouldn’t think he was a first-year player at this Club… because he did the VFL program for four years everyone knew who he was so he’s slotted in nicely.”
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The premiership defender is looking forward to the challenge of a new role in 2019 as he progresses into the midfield.
He'll join a midfield group which boasts two Brownlow medallists, the ideal place for him to develop his craft.
“I’m giving my best every session and trying to learn as much as I can off Cotchy and Dusty, who are probably the two best midfielders in the competition, so I’ve spent a bit of time with them,” he said.
“A lot of one-on-one work with Cotchy, it’s pretty amazing some of the stuff that he can do."
Ellis is also enjoying the opportunity to team up with Richmond’s new midfield coach Adam Kingsley.
“(Kingsley’s) really taken me under his wing and teaching me a lot, so I’m really looking forward to the next couple of months and we’ll see what happens,” he said.
The move will give the hard-running 25-year-old the chance to showcase his endurance.
“I want to use my running ability through the midfield, my spread from stoppage and my power running,” Ellis said.
“Hopefully I can utilise that and hopefully I can have a good year.”
