Hard-running Richmond premiership defender Brandon Ellis has spoken in glowing terms of the special bond that exists among the Tigers’ backline group.

Ellis thrived after moving from an outside midfield role into Richmond’s defence last season and was a valuable contributor in the Club’s drought-breaking premiership triumph.

“It’s fantastic. We’re like a team within a team,” he said on SEN.

“We’ve got a really close bond, we’re all good mates down there, and to be able to work beside Alex Rance, ‘Grimesy’ (Dylan Grimes), Bachar (Houli) and (David) Astbury, it just makes my job so much easier.

“It’s just so enjoyable.

“We love playing with each other down there . . .

“It gets tough at times, and it is bloody hard because one mistake and the oppositions gets a goal, but we’ve got so much trust in each other and back each other in.

“I can’t wait to play with the boys again this year.”