A healthy injection of youth into the line-up has reinvigorated Richmond in recent weeks.
Three talented Tiger cubs have made their senior league debuts during the past month – Corey Ellis, 18, (Round 5 v Geelong), Connor Menadue, 18, (Round 7 v Collingwood) and Liam McBean, 20, (Round 7 v Collingwood), while 21-year-old Kamdyn McIntosh, who debuted in this year’s season-opener against Carlton, has held his place in the side throughout, and shown some really promising signs.
Menadue kicked a crucial long, last-quarter, set-shot goal in Richmond’s Round 8 victory over Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, Ellis followed suit in the final term of last Saturday night’s ‘Dreamtime’ win against Essendon with an inspirational running goal, and McBean has shown some encouraging signs as the Tigers’ third tall in the forward line.
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Brandon Ellis, who has taken his game to another level in his fourth season of league football this year, was delighted with Ellis’ goal, and is impressed with the contributions made so far this season by the Tiger cubs.
“It was a beautiful clutch goal . . . It basically sealed the game and it would have been an awesome feeling for him. Connor Menadue did it last week against Port, and now Corey,” Ellis said on 3AW.
“The three young guys that have come in the last couple of weeks – Corey (Ellis), Connor (Menadue) and ‘Beany’ (Liam McBean) – they’ve been really good for us.
“They’ve been playing their roles and they’ve had an impact . . . It just shows that the youth we have, they’re starting to develop . . .”
Richmond assistant coach Greg Mellor also has liked what he’s seen from the Tigers’ department of youth.
“It’s really exciting,” Mellor said on ‘The Richmond Review’.
“Credit must also go to the senior players because they’re going out of their way to create an environment where these young blokes can come in and play their natural game.
“The guys that we’ve picked up have been really terrific . . . Corey (Ellis), Connor (Menadue), and Liam (McBean) have risen to the occasion, and the more games that they play, they’ll continue to improve.
“They’ll end up becoming really important players in our side and help drive us up the ladder.”
