Richmond introduces its batch of recruits, set for pre-season camp in TownsvilleRebecca Williams and Michael Warner
Herald-Sun
November 30, 2014 RICHMOND’S top draft pick Corey Ellis says he is “back on track” after a foot injury that forced him to miss the AFL Combine.
The Western Jets midfielder, taken at pick 12 by the Tigers in Thursday night’s draft, suffered a stress fracture at the end of the TAC Cup season.
But Ellis said he was back running and set to join pre-season training at Punt Rd.
“I’m back on track, I’ve been doing a bit of running lately and it’s feeling good,’’ Ellis said.
“So I’ll just monitor my progress and hopefully I’ll get started pretty soon.
“I had never had a problem with it before. It was a one-off situation and it’s feeling pretty good now and back into running.
``We’ll just monitor how it feels and I should be back training pretty soon.’’
Richmond football boss Dan Richardson said the Tigers would monitor the 18-year-old’s injury, but expected him to join in pre-season training.
He said minor surgery was an option if the foot flared again but would not sideline him for an extended period.
“We were well aware he had a metatarsal issue that kept him out of the AFL Combine,’’ Richardson said.
“We will obviously monitor him but as it stands he is back running and looking forward to the pre-season.
“If any corrective procedure was ever required it wouldn’t have any long-term implications at all.
“We are thrilled to have a player of his quality at our club.”
Ellis joined the Tigers other four draft picks, including his Western Jets teammate and fellow midfielder Connor Menadue, for a tour of the Punt Rd facilities with their families.
The Tigers also selected midfielder Nathan Drummond (No.52), small forward Daniel Butler (No.67) and forward Reece McKenzie (No.77).
The draftees — all from Victorian clubs — will launch straight into action with the Tigers when they head to Townsville for a pre-season camp.
Ellis said he was already looking forward to learning from the club’s captain, Trent Cotchin.
“I’ll definitely be by his side the whole summer just taking things out of his book,’’ Ellis said.
The first-round draft pick said he was excited he could join he Tigers alongside his good mate Menadue, who was taken at pick No. 33.
“We have played the last couple of years together and he is a really good player as well and we’re pretty good mates so it’s nice to have someone else down here that I know,’’ he said.
Menadue was also thrilled the pair had landed at the same AFL club.
“It’s a big bonus playing with Corey the last two years and he’s a great bloke and it’s great that we get to share this special moment,’’ Menadue said.
“Hopefully we get to play with each other for the next 10 years.’’
Menadue admitted touring the club for the first time was eye opening, but had no concerns about tackling his first AFL pre-season.
“I’m really excited, I’m looking forward to getting into the weights and showing off my running a little bit just to show my strengths I guess,’’ Menadue said.
”But I’m here to definitely work on my weaknesses ... obviously being a light frame to try and match the bigger bodies in the AFL, I definitely need to put on some size and strength and that will happen gradually.’’
http://www.news.com.au/national/richmond-introduces-its-batch-of-recruits-set-for-pre-season-camp-in-townsville/story-e6frfkp9-1227139394681
