Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has tagged talented Tiger teenager Corey Ellis as something special, and is delighted that he has now joined in full training with the Club’s playing group after recovering from foot surgery.

Ellis, who was Richmond’s first pick (No. 12 overall) in the AFL’s 2014 National Draft, underwent an operation on his right foot late last year, which meant his pre-season was confined to the players’ rehabilitation group until last week.  

“He’s a quality player – you’ve only got to watch him play,” Hardwick said.

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“The things that he can do with the ball . . . he sort of looks like he’s not moving, but he manages to gain yards or make distance on the opposition. 

“He’s going to be a really exciting prospect for us, whether it’s at the front part of the year . . . it’s probably not, because he’s going to be a little bit behind the eight-ball. 

“But we expect him to be a player for us in the second part of the year.”

Ellis, 18, is a left-foot midfielder, renowned at junior level for his composure, decision-making and proficient disposal.