The competitive streak within talented, young Tiger Brandon Ellis fuels a desire for him to take his game to another level, notwithstanding what he’s achieved over the course of his first four years of AFL football.

Ellis played all 23 games for the Tigers in season 2015, averaging 25.8 disposals and 6.4 marks.  He was ranked fourth in the competition for uncontested possessions, 13^th for total disposals and 16^th for marks.

They’re impressive numbers, but the 22-year-old fully realises they don’t reveal the full story of his season.

“I guess, overall, it was probably an okay year for me, I think.  I thought I started off okay, was just a bit average after that and then, middle of the year, before the bye, I found some really good form . . . Then I think the second half of the year was just a bit up and down,” Ellis told ‘Roar Vision’. 

“My so-called bad games this year were a bit better than last year, so there’s an improvement there.  But I expect better of myself each week. 

“I don’t like playing poorly, I hate letting the team down . . .

“Last year I had a fair bit of rebound-50s and not too many inside-50s.  I think it was the opposite this year . . . I got a lot more of the ball in the front half and delivered it into the forward line.

“They (the coaches) were pretty happy about that, but overall they’d like to see me become a midfielder now, not just a wingman. 

“I need to add a couple more strings to my bow, so it’s harder for opposition teams to try and shut me down.”

Contested-ball work will be a key focus for Ellis in the upcoming pre-season period, as he prepares to spend more time in the midfield.

“I’ll be doing a lot of contested stuff . . . working really closely with ‘Cotchy’ (Trent Cotchin) and ‘Milesy’ (Anthony Miles), who are the best contested-ball players in the team,” he said. 

“Once I get that side of my game pretty consistent, I’ll be a better player and the Club will be better for it . . .

 “It’ll be my fifth year in the system, so there are no excuses. 

“I guess I’m one of the leaders and one of the older guys now in the group.  So I’ve got to stand up and take my game to a new level.

“I want to come back (from the off-season break) in pretty good shape, and give myself the best opportunity to smash pre-season . . . work to become an inside midfielder and not just a wingman.”