Talented Tiger teenage midfielder Corey Ellis has revealed his feelings on learning of being selected to make his AFL debut in Richmond’s side for Saturday’s Round 5 match against Geelong at the MCG.

“I’m very excited at the moment.  Got told this morning (Thursday) and couldn’t wipe the smile off my face all day,” Ellis told ‘Roar Vision’.

“Just before the (training) warm-up, ‘Cotch’ (Trent Cotchin) called all the boys in and said someone was playing their first game . . .  I thought surely not, but he said my name, and I was very happy.

“I was very up and about for the whole session and trained pretty well, I thought.”

Find out what’s happening before this Saturday’s game

The 18-year-old has earned a senior call-up on the back of several impressive performances recently in the Tigers’ VFL team across half-back and through the midfield.

“I just tried to play my role in the VFL and had a pretty good game last week (against Frankston).  So, a couple of injuries, a bit of luck, and I found myself in the team.”

Ellis, who was Richmond’s first pick (No. 12 overall) in the 2014 National Draft, said his stint at VFL level had been “really helpful”.

“You’ve got blokes like Nathan Foley and Matt Thomas in the midfield there and they’ve been really good helping me out.  So, I just gained some experience, and I’ve got a chance now in the big side,” he declared.

Ellis also provided an insight into the role he’s likely to play in his senior league debut . . .

 “I’m looking to play a bit of inside midfield.   Get the knees dirty, and head down, bum up, I guess,” he said.

“I’m just going to enjoy it (debut game) for what it is.  Not take too much pressure into the game and give it a good, hot crack.”