http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-resigns-four-players-including-brandon-ellis-nick-vlastuin/story-fndv8t7m-1226665859062RICHMOND has locked away young guns Brandon Ellis and Nick Vlastuin.
Former skipper Chris Newman - still in search of his first finals appearance after 224 games - and cult hero Jake King have also signed for next year.
Vlastuin, 19, has played just seven games but yesterday committed to the Tigers until the end of 2016.
Ellis, 19, has signed for two more years.
"They started talking to my manager the week before the Melbourne game ... and I said whatever they offer me, just take it - I want to sign,'' Ellis told the Herald Sun.
"We are on the verge of something special in the next few years, I think.
"We've just got so much confidence in where the group is going. The last two weeks we've played the brand of footy we knew we could.
"The boys believe in each other and we want to share the success together that is hopefully around the corner.''
A star-studded group including Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin, Reece Conca, Dylan Grimes and Alex Rance are yet to commit beyond this year, but Richmond football boss Dan Richardson said talks were ongoing.
"We hope to secure a number of our other key players in the coming months,'' he said.
"It's a fantastic result for the club to extend the contracts of two of its brightest prospects and two of its most loyal servants.
"Brandon and Nick represent the future at Richmond, and they've already shown Tiger fans why they are regarded so highly within the club.
"Chris has been an incredible player and leader over a long period of time, and Jake has been a great story of persistence and hard work.
"Along with Trent Cotchin's contract extension last month, our list is in good shape for the future."
