Confidence high as selfless Tigers eye hat-trick AFL.com.au
5 April 2017RICHMOND half-back Brandon Ellis says confidence is high at Tigerland after a 2-0 start to the season, with a selfless style of play key to the Tigers' early form.
The Tigers hit the reset button after a disastrous 2016 season and made extensive changes to the list and coaching staff, with the results positive so far this season.
Ellis said the directive from coach Damien Hardwick to play with freedom had been refreshing and the Tigers were now showing more care for each other than they had in the past.
"We don't care who gets the ball, who kicks the goals, we just want to win … it's a fun place to be around," Ellis said on Tuesday ahead of a crunch game against West Coast.
"We play for each other, we care for each other more than we have, so we just go out there and try and win for each other.
"Confidence is pretty high … so hopefully we can get a roll on when we take on West Coast this weekend."
Ellis has been redeployed to defence this season after making his name as a hard-running wingman, and the 23-year-old said he was enjoying the change.
"Working with the likes of (Alex) Rance, (Dylan) Grimes and (David) Astbury, those guys have really fast-tracked my development and I love playing down there with them," he said.
"I was a bit of an offensive player, but it's all about defence now. That comes first and the offence will just take care of itself."
Richmond's backline faces a big test this Saturday against the 2-0 Eagles, who have kicked an AFL-high 39 goals (equal with Port Adelaide) across their two matches.
After wins against Carlton and Collingwood (both 0-2), the match shapes as a test of the Tigers' credentials as well as their new game style.
Star Dustin Martin is confident he can play with a fractured right cheekbone and Ellis agreed the hard-nut midfielder would be passed fit to play.
The Tigers will need to replace tall forward Ben Griffiths (concussion), however, with rookies Mabior Chol and Ivan Soldo, and Todd Elton in a race for the position.
Chol completed Tuesday's training session with the main group and appears untroubled by a concussion injury suffered in a VFL practice match last Thursday, but he will need to pass a fitness test this week.
Richmond can elevate the athletic tall or Soldo this week, with injured pair Jack Graham (ankle) and Shaun Hampson (back) on the long-term injury list.
Rookie forward Jason Castagna has already been elevated to the senior list in place of retired speedster Chris Yarran.
Ellis nominated Kamdyn McIntosh and Anthony Miles as players pushing hard to return against West Coast in place of injured half-forward Shane Edwards.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-04/confidence-high-as-selfless-tigers-eye-hattrick
