In the sixth part of a richmondfc.com.au post-season special series, we assess the Tigers’ top three young players this year (in alphabetical order).
Brandon Ellis
Ellis again was a valuable contributor in Richmond’s line-up throughout his fourth season of league football.
The gut-running midfielder played all 23 games for the Tigers, averaging an impressive 25.8 disposals per match, with a season-high 33 touches coming in the Round 9 Dreamtime match against Essendon, when he won the prestigious Yiooken award for being best-on-ground.
He was ranked fourth in the competition for uncontested possessions, eighth in kicks and 13th for total disposals.
For the third consecutive year, Ellis was selected in the AFL Players Association’s ’22-under-22’ team (containing the best players in the competition aged 22 or under).
The talented Tiger 22-year-old, who has now played 88 games of senior league football, has earned a reputation as an elite runner, with prolific ball-winning ability.
He became a more rounded player this season, improving his contested-ball work and defensive pressure.
Further improvement in these areas of his game will enable Ellis to have an even bigger impact within the Tigers’ team.
Kamdyn McIntosh
After an injury-interrupted first couple of years on Richmond’s playing list, McIntosh had a breakout 2015.
The fleet-footed wingman received a Rising Star nomination following an excellent AFL debut in the Tigers’ opening round victory over Carlton at the MCG (23 disposals, including four inside-50s and a goal, along with nine marks).
McIntosh proceeded to cement a spot in Richmond’s line-up following that eye-catching first-up effort, playing every game for the season and generating significant drive for the side through his productive run-and-carry.
He averaged 15.3 disposals per game and was ranked first among Rising Star nominees in kicks, second in uncontested possessions, third in marks, fourth in inside-50s and fourth in rebound-50s.
His strong, two-way running was a decided asset for the Tigers throughout the season.
The 21-year-old managed to regularly break the lines with his attacking run, as well as get back to help out the team’s defence.
With a season’s experience under his belt, McIntosh appears well placed to build on the substantial gains he made during 2015.
Nick Vlastuin
With minimum fuss, but maximum efficiency, Vlastuin established himself as one of the competition’s most consistent young defenders this season.
He played all of Richmond’s 23 games, averaging 15.3 disposals per match, with a season-high 21 touches against Gold Coast at the MCG in Round 20.
The 21-year-old, in just his third season of league football, combined strong defensive capabilities with some impressive rebound work.
And, as has been the case from the outset of his league career, Vlastuin displayed impressive composure with ball in hand.
His disposal efficiency for the season was 83.5 percent, and he continued to make the right decisions regardless of the pressure surrounding him in the Tigers’ back half.
Another feature of Vlastuin’s game was the courage he constantly displayed in putting his body on the line for the team in tough, bruising contests with opponents.
Vlastuin is a highly-respected figure at Tigerland, and regarded as a future leader among the playing group.
Recap the Tiger Top Threes so far:
2015 wins
Most improved players
Stats stars
Individual performances
Best team quarters
