Cannon Brandon Ellis on target for AFL draft by: Jay Clark
From: Herald Sun
October 29, 2011 CALDER Cannons defender Brandon Ellis quit football to be with his ill father.
Dale Ellis had always been the biggest supporter of his son's AFL dream.
But when doctors said his odds of surviving a second cancer battle were slim two years ago, his son pulled out of the Calder program.
Football suddenly seemed irrelevant compared to his father's health.
"I didn't want to play any more, that's how much it affected me," Ellis said.
"All I wanted to do was spend time with him, because I didn't know how much longer he had left."
Dale Ellis, however, saw the situation differently.
While fighting the disease, he convinced his son to return to the game he loved.
For Ellis, the plea from his father was the "turning point" in his football journey.
One that has ultimately lifted the tough 181cm rebounding defender with a thumping kick into firstround calculations in next month's draft.
"Dad said 'this game has been the love of your life, don't quit. Do it for me'," Ellis said.
"It was all the motivation I needed and from then on I just completely dedicated myself."
Likened to Collingwood's Heath Shaw, Ellis's ability to shut down opposition small forwards with his stocky frame and repel with force has major appeal.
When the Cannons win the ball, they instantly look to Ellis to launch it upfield.
At the national championships, he averaged 76 per cent disposal efficiency, and was involved in more scores than any other defender, according to Champion Data, earning All-Australian honours.
Every club, except Carlton, is believed to have interviewed him.
On draft day, after his name is called out somewhere in the top 25, a special moment beckons with Ellis's dad and mother, Nancy.
The 18-year-old is grateful his family, with the help of a hospital counsellor, was able to turn him around.
"Dad is my right-hand man. He is the most supportive person you could imagine," Ellis said.
Which is why, when the pair used to kick in the park together, the big Roos’ fan, who grew up in North Melbourne, was able to develop a powerful kick on both sides of his body.
"Dad taught me not just to kick on my right. He said you had to be able to kick on both sides," Ellis said.
For Christmas, when Ellis needed to improve his endurance, he received a heart-rate monitor.
It paid dividends.
"You got to see how hard you were working so it was very beneficial for pre-season, and being able to push yourself harder," he said.
"In games, I was able to concentrate for longer periods and put in harder efforts for longer."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/cannon-brandon-ellis-on-target-for-afl-draft/story-fnau1fjg-1226180132534
