Richmond is keen to invest in talented young players such as Corey Ellis and Ben Lennon, for the long-term benefit of the team.

Coach Damien Hardwick believes Ellis and Lennon, who were both first picks for the Club in the AFL’s National Draft, possess the talent to help take the Tigers to the next level.

Ellis, 19, played his ninth senior league game in last Saturday’s clash with Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.  He finished with 16 disposals, including three rebound-50s.

Lennon, 20, had 11 disposals, including three rebound-50s and took eight marks in what was his 17^th appearance at the game’s highest level.

“We’ve trialled Corey a little bit off half-back.  He’s a player that we feel has got incredible potential,” Hardwick told 3AW.

“His possession rate’s probably a little bit low at this stage.  The one thing Corey does, though, is when he does get the ball, you certainly notice he can use it. 

“We’re just trying to get the ball into his hands a little bit more . . .

“Ben’s been a little bit up and down.  When he gets the ball offensively, he’s certainly very creative.

“We feel we need to get him into the side.  We’re just probably shuffling him at the moment, trying to find out that best position. 

“At AFL level, we’ve trialled him up forward at various stages and he’s gone okay.  But I think we saw something with him down back yesterday (last Saturday). 

“He took a couple of chop-out marks, used the ball incredibly well off the back half, and started a number of scoring chains. 

“We’ll continue to invest in those two boys.  We feel they’re going to be good players for us . . .  

“They’re probably the little half-step back that we take . . . get those players in the side and get them up and going. 

“I think the proof will be in the pudding in hopefully three to four weeks’ time.”