This was written just before Elton was dropped this week.
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Richmond 2017 Todd Elton’s story of persistenceAl Paton,
Herald Sun
28 April 2017 3:40pmHE’S almost the accidental AFL player.
There isn’t much in his resume that stamps Todd Elton as a linchpin for Richmond’s 5-0 start, but the one-time VFL battler is on the ride of his life. And he seems to be enjoying every minute.
Elton has been on the Tigers’ list for six years and played seven matches; his three this year is the most he has played in a single season.
He is rated “poor” in just about every statistical category. Finding a photo of him for this article was a challenge and most footy fans wouldn’t recognise him if he sat next to them on the No. 70 tram; his Instagram following (4114) is dwarfed by teammates Dustin Martin (116,000) and Trent Cotchin (68,000).
But if there’s one quality Elton has, it’s persistence.
He was recruited from the Dandenong Stingrays with pick 26 in the 2011 draft and has played 74 VFL games since, averaging fewer than 10 disposals per game playing in defence, up forward and in the ruck. As the Tigers turned over their list, each year Elton survived.
In his three matches this year Elton has had nine, 13 and seven disposals, taken seven marks and kicked two behinds.
But he keeps presenting. On Monday night against Melbourne as players tired and the Tigers clawed to a famous win, Elton made a contest. Then another.
He took a strong mark from a get-out kick in defence as the clock ticked down in the last quarter and saw a few more over the boundary line, each time jogging back to his position at centre half-forward to do it all again.
With Ben Griffiths out indefinitely with concussion issues and Mabior Chol still developing, he might have to make a lot more of those contests this season.
TODD ELTON 2017 AVE RATINGSuperCoach points 40 POOR
Disposals 9.7 POOR
Marks 2.3 POOR
Marks inside 50 0.7 POOR
Goals 0.0 POOR
Score involvements 2.7 POOR
Forward half pressure points 17.1 AVERAGE
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said Elton, who turns 24 on Saturday, had “been OK” and was playing his role.
“He got his hands to a lot of balls but just couldn’t quite manage to take those marks,” Hardwick said on Friday.
“But he’s providing a contest for us, which is really important. We’re not after him to take 12 contested marks and kick five goals, we’re just after a contest down the line and to provide some second-tier ruck support — which he’s been doing.
“He’s incredibly athletic and has got some tricks.”
On Sunday he returns to the city where he made his AFL debut in 2012 after he was a surprise inclusion against the Crows.
He had to wait three years to play his second game, and another two years on he is still going.
If the Tigers continue the wonderful ride that is their 2017 season, he might not be unknown for much longer.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/richmonds-todd-elton-to-play-eighth-game-in-six-years-against-adelaide/news-story/75cac37b65d815aa1164f4cbb9e1fdec