Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is pleased with how talented Tiger cub Corey Ellis is tracking in the early stages of his second season at the game’s highest level.

Ellis, who was the Tigers’ first pick (No. 12 overall) in the AFL’s 2014 National Draft, has adapted well to his new role this year as a defender.

The 19-year-old finished with the most disposals of his 10-game league career in last Friday night’s Round 4 match against West Coast at Domain Stadium.  He had 20 touches and was typically efficient with his disposal.

“Corey’s grown again, I think, in his role,” Hardwick told Tiger great Matthew Richardson in this week’s episode of ‘Dimma’s Dissection’ on ‘Roar Vision’.

“His ability to use the ball is very good . . . the pleasing thing for us is he started to get a little bit more of it. 

“We’ve been happy with the way he’s played down back. 

“He played on (Mark) LeCras (last Friday night v West Coast) . . .  LeCras, we felt, didn’t have a great influence on the game. 

“We’ve been trying to play him on those better type of players. 

“So, we’ve been happy with his progress thus far.  He’s got a little bit of work to do, but we think he’s been a pretty good positive for us.

“Eventually we’d like to see him through the midfield . . .  But it’s only his second year, and he missed the majority of last year with injury. 

“So, it’s going to be a little bit of time, but he’s very classy with the ball, and wins his own ball.”