Hard-running Richmond utility Brandon Ellis produced his best performance of season 2017 in last night’s blockbuster ‘Dreamtime at the G’ clash.
Ellis played a pivotal role in Richmond’s 15-point victory over Essendon, picking up a season-high 30 disposals, including 13 contested possessions, took an equal game-high (and season-high for him) nine marks, had an equal team-high nine intercepts, eight score involvements and snapped a crucial goal late in the third quarter that regained the lead for the Tigers.
Bid on Brandon's match-worn Dreamtime guernsey from Saturday night's win
He received three votes in the Yiooken Medal, which was awarded to his Tiger teammate Dustin Martin for being adjudged best afield in the Dreamtime game.
“I thought Brandon was really solid tonight,” Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said in his post-match press conference.
“He’s been pretty good for the majority of the year.
“We like his flexibility down back and playing the wing . . .
“He’s taken a step forward, which is good.
“He’d be the first to admit he wasn’t overly happy with his year last year, and neither were we.
“But we challenged him and he’s starting to play some good football that we know he can, more consistently.”
Ellis, a 23-year-old veteran of 120 league games with the Tigers, is averaging 20.7 disposals this season.
