Tiger recruit Brandon Ellis aiming to sting the Blues by: Michael Warner in Phoenix
Herald Sun
December 09, 2011RICHMOND draftee Brandon Ellis has set his sights on a Round 1 debut against the Blues.
Ellis, 18, was taken by the Tigers with their first pick, 15th overall, at last month's national draft and has been a standout at the club's Arizona training camp.
The elite kicker from the Calder Cannons was selected as an attacking defender, but can also play in the midfield.
"That's my goal to play Round 1 and I'm going to do everything I can, but there's a lot of competition," Ellis said. "I think we've got eight or nine backs who are in the running.
"All I want to do is play. I don't care where I play, I just want to put on the Richmond jumper and that will be the best day of my life."
Ellis and Richmond's two other draftees, tall forward Todd Elton and midfielder Matt Arnot, have endured a brutal AFL baptism.
Within days of being drafted, the youngsters found themselves in Tucson taking part in a gruelling fitness program at the University of Arizona.
Irish recruit John Heslin, 19, a star Gaelic player, has also made the trip with mature-age pick ups Ivan Maric and Steven Morris.
"It's probably been one of the times of my life so far," Ellis said. "I've always wanted to come to America, but to come over here with Richmond is just amazing.
" I thought I'd come over here with a few mates. It still feels a bit surreal but it's sinking in now being around the boys.
"It's been tough. In the gym sessions I can keep up with them, but the running and the extra swim session or skill sessions that you do is really tough on the body.
"But give me a month or two and wait for my body to adapt and I think I will be able to keep up with them."
Vice-captain Trent Cotchin said the desire of the newest Tigers to compete in Arizona had turned a few heads among the established players.
"They've really applied themselves well and seem like fantastic characters. It just adds more pressure and competition, which is what we're all about at Tigerland," Cotchin said.
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