Brandon Ellis

Ellis was raised in the inner-suburb of Carlton North, four kilometres north of Melbourne.{{cite book|last1=Marshall|first1=Konrad|title=Yellow & Black: A Season with Richmond|date=15 November 2016|publisher=Slattery Media Group|location=Melbourne, Victoria, Australia|isbn=9780987342898|page=285}}

He first played football in the Auskick program in Brunswick at the age of four. At age seven he began playing with the under 10s side at West Coburg, winning the best-and-fairest award despite being many years younger than most of his teammates.

Ellis quit football temporarily in year 10 in the aftermath of his father's terminal cancer diagnoses.

He later played representative football with the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup where he played 29 games across his bottom and top aged seasons.{{cite web|title=Ellis A Rising Star Nomination|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-3020-0-0-0&sID=69677&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=20039749|website=SportsTF|access-date=6 September 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/tiger-recruit-brandon-ellis-aiming-to-sting-the-blues/story-e6frf9jf-1226217645218 |title=Tiger recruit Brandon Ellis aiming to sting the Blues|first= Michael |last=Warner|work=Herald Sun|date=9 December 2011}}

He was part of West Coburg's under-18s premiership in 2010, where he was coached by Phil Cleary.{{cite web |title=Phil Cleary's Biography |url=https://www.platinumspeakers.com.au/speaker/phil-cleary/ |publisher=Platinum Speakers and Entertainers |access-date=6 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606002757/https://www.platinumspeakers.com.au/speaker/phil-cleary/ |archive-date=6 June 2024}}

Ellis represented the Victorian Metro side at the 2010 Under 18 national championships. He recorded a 76 per cent disposal efficiency and the most score involvements of any defender in the competition. He earned All-Australian selection for his performances.{{cite news|last1=Clark|first1=Jay|title=Cannon Brandon Ellis on target for AFL draft|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/cannon-brandon-ellis-on-target-for-afl-draft/story-fnau1fjg-1226180132534?nk=1de4e0b92ac29693825ca412707c486a-1473136604|access-date=6 September 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp|date=29 October 2011}}

Ellis attended high school at Princes Hill Secondary College in the Melbourne suburb of North Carlton.{{cite news|last1=Twomey|first1=Callum|title=A boy called Ellis|url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2011-11-28/a-boy-called-ellis|access-date=6 September 2016|work=Richmond FC|publisher=Bigpond|date=28 November 2011}}

Ellis was drafted to Richmond with the 15th selection in 2011 National Draft.

He debuted on Round 1 the following season, in a 44-point loss to traditional rivals {{AFL Car}}.{{cite web|title=Brandon Ellis|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/B/Brandon_Ellis.html|website=AFL Tables|access-date=6 September 2016}}

He was nominated for the 2012 AFL Rising Star award in Round 17 after recording 21 disposals and 5 marks in Richmond's close loss to {{AFL NM}}.{{cite news | url = http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/richmond-defender-brandon-ellis-earns-nab-rising-star-nomination-for-round-17-outing-against-roos/story-fncz972k-1226433545028 |title=Richmond defender Brandon Ellis earns NAB Rising Star nomination for round 17 outing against Roos}}

In Round 8, 2013 Ellis recorded a career-best 39 disposals in Richmond's 34-point victory over {{AFL Mel}}.{{cite web|title=Round 8, 2013 - Richmond v Melbourne|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2013/111420130519.html|website=AFL Tables|access-date=6 September 2016}} Ellis placed equal fifth at the club in the Brownlow Medal tally that year, recording 5 votes. The same year he was selected in the inaugural AFL Players Association 22under22 team, as one of the best young players in the league.{{cite web|last=McInerney|first=Sam|title=22under22 Team Announced|url=http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/2013-22under22-team-announced/|publisher=AFL Players' Association|access-date=18 September 2013}}

Ellis received the Jack Titus medal in 2014, for finishing second in the Richmond Best-and-Fairest count.{{cite news|last1=Greenberg|first1=Tony|title=Cotchin's Jack Dyer Medal treble|url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2014-09-30/cotchins-jack-dyer-medal-treble|access-date=6 September 2016|work=Richmond FC|publisher=Bigpond|date=30 September 2014}} He led the club in disposals and rebound 50s and placed fourth in the club at the Brownlow Medal.{{cite web|title=2014 Stats|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/2014.html#14|website=AFL Tables|access-date=6 September 2016}} He was also nominated to the All-Australian squad of 40 but was ultimately not selected to the final side.{{cite news|last1=Nathan Schmook and Adam McNicol|title=Fresh faces aplenty as AFL names 40-man All Australian squad|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-09-02/all-australian-squad-named|access-date=6 September 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|date=2 September 2014}} That same year he earned his second selection to the AFLPA's 22under22 team.{{cite news|last1=McInerney|first1=Sam|title=22UNDER22 TEAM ANNOUNCED!|url=http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/22under22-team-announced/|access-date=6 September 2016|work=AFLPA|date=9 September 2014}}

Ellis had another strong season in 2015, relishing his role as the club's number one outside midfielder.{{Citation needed|date=September 2016}} He topped the club for uncontested possessions and ranked second for total disposals.{{cite web|title=2015 Stats|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/2015.html#14|website=AFL Tables|access-date=6 September 2016}} He failed to make an impact in Richmond's losing elimination final however, recording only 10 disposals on the day.

Between round 4 2014 and round 18 2015, Ellis recorded a club record streak of 27 straight matches with 20 or more disposals.{{cite web|title=Misc. Records|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/misc.html#c0|website=AFL Tables|access-date=6 September 2016}}

He played his 100th AFL game in Round 12, 2016, against the Gold Coast Suns at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-13/brandon-ellis-soaks-up-the-pressure-in-his-100th-match|title=Ellis soaks up the pressure in his 100th|publisher=Australian Football League|first=Nathan|last=Schmook|date=13 June 2016|access-date=13 June 2016}} He finished the season ranked 3rd at the club for disposals in 2016.

In 2017 he changed roles, shifting from the wing and into Richmond's half back line.{{cite book|last1=Marshall|first1=Konrad|title=Yellow & Black: A Season with Richmond|date=15 November 2016|publisher=Slattery Media Group|location=Melbourne, Victoria, Australia|isbn=9780987342898|page=287}}

After 111 consecutive matches played at AFL level, Ellis was omitted from the Richmond side to face {{AFL Col}} in round 6, 2018. It was his first missed match since round 12, 2013.{{cite news|last1=Greenberg|first1=Tony|title=Tigers regain premiership trio|url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-04-27/round-6-team-announcement|access-date=27 April 2018|work=Richmond FC|publisher=Telstra Media|date=27 April 2018}} He returned to senior football in round 10, after spending four weeks with the club's reserves side at VFL level. Ellis played the 150th AFL match of his career in round 20's win over {{AFL Gee}} at the MCG. After playing in each of the final 13 matches of the season, Ellis was dropped from the club's side for the Qualifying final against {{AFL Haw}} in order to make way from the injury return of All-Australian squad member Kane Lambert.{{cite news |last1=Pierik |first1=Jon |title=Ellis dropped: Tigers pull selection shock as Hawks recall three |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-pull-selection-shock-as-hawks-recall-three-20180905-p501so.html |access-date=8 September 2018 |work=The Age |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=5 September 2018}}

In 2019 Ellis returned to a role on the wing. He finished the 2019 season by playing in a winning grand final, his second premiership in three seasons at Richmond.

He had played 176 games over eight seasons at Richmond.

On the opening day of the 2019 free agency period, Ellis signed a five-year contract with {{AFL GC}}, officially moving when Richmond declined to match the Suns offer despite his status as a restricted free agent.{{cite news |last1=Whiting |first1=Michael |title=UPDATE: Frustrated Tigers fume after Ellis compo pick shock |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-10-04/free-agent-brandon-ellis-to-join-suns |access-date=6 October 2019 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=5 October 2019}}

Ellis played in 16 of a possible 17 games in his COVID-19 pandemic affected first season at Gold Coast, placing fifth in the club's best and fairest award.{{cite news |last1=Cheadle |first1=Josh |title=2020 Club Champion – Sam Collins |url=https://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news/818673/2020-club-champion-sam-collins |access-date=4 October 2020 |work=Gold Coast FC |publisher=Telstra Media |date=26 September 2020}}

In July 2024, Ellis retired effective immediately. afl.com.au/news/1184729

: Statistics are correct to the end of the 2024 season{{cite web|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/B/Brandon_Ellis.html|title=Brandon Ellis|work=AFL Tables|access-date=2 April 2022}}

{{AFL player statistics legend}}

{{AFL player statistics start with votes}}

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2012

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 42 || 21 || 2 || 8 || 183 || 147 || 330 || 80 || 36 || 0.1 || 0.4 || 8.7 || 7.0 || 15.7 || 3.8 || 1.7 || 0

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2013

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 5 || 21 || 14 || 7 || 246 || 144 || 390 || 124 || 45 || 0.7 || 0.3 || 11.7 || 6.9 || 18.6 || 5.9 || 2.1 || 5

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2014

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 5 || 23 || 10 || 11 || 355 || 246 || 601 || 126 || 56 || 0.4 || 0.5 || 15.4 || 10.7 || 26.1 || 5.5 || 2.4 || 9

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2015

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 5 || 23 || 8 || 11 || 342 || 252 || 594 || 146 || 77 || 0.4 || 0.5 || 14.9 || 11.0 || 25.8 || 6.3 || 3.3 || 7

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2016

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 5 || 22 || 5 || 9 || 290 || 230 || 520 || 134 || 56 || 0.2 || 0.4 || 13.2 || 10.5 || 23.6 || 6.1 || 2.5 || 3

|-

| bgcolor=F0E68C | 2017^#

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 5 || 25 || 7 || 4 || 331 || 226 || 557 || 126 || 51 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 13.2 || 9.0 || 22.3 || 5.0 || 2.0 || 1

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2018

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 5 || 18 || 3 || 4 || 202 || 154 || 356 || 87 || 38 || 0.2 || 0.2 || 11.2 || 8.6 || 19.8 || 4.8 || 2.1 || 0

|-

| bgcolor=F0E68C | 2019^#

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 5 || 23 || 9 || 3 || 269 || 216 || 485 || 116 || 57 || 0.4 || 0.1 || 11.7 || 9.4 || 21.1 || 5.0 || 2.5 || 0

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2020{{efn|The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.}}

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL GC}}

| 4 || 16 || 5 || 3 || 194 || 99 || 293 || 68 || 42 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 12.1 || 6.2 || 18.3 || 4.3 || 2.6 || 0

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2021

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL GC}}

| 4 || 18 || 5 || 2 || 273 || 150 || 423 || 130 || 47 || 0.3 || 0.1 || 15.2 || 8.3 || 23.5 || 7.2 || 2.6 || 5

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2022

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL GC}}

| 4 || 21 || 9 || 6 || 314 || 146 || 460 || 115 || 47 || 0.4 || 0.3 || 15.0 || 7.0 || 21.9 || 5.5 || 2.2 || 5

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2023

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL GC}}

| 4 || 16 || 7 || 8 || 195 || 93 || 288 || 86 || 37 || 0.4 || 0.5 || 12.2 || 5.8 || 18.0 || 5.4 || 2.3 || 0

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2024

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL GC}}

| 4 || 4 || 1 || 2 || 28 || 14 || 42 || 9 || 5 || 0.3 || 0.5 || 7.0 || 3.5 || 10.5 || 2.3 || 1.3 ||

|- class="sortbottom"

! colspan=3| Career

! 251

! 85

! 78

! 3222

! 2117

! 5339

! 1347

! 593

! 0.3

! 0.3

! 12.9

! 8.4

! 21.3

! 5.4

! 2.4

! 35

|}

Notes

{{notelist}}

Team

• 2× AFL premiership player ({{AFL Ric}}): 2017, 2019
• McClelland Trophy ({{AFL Ric}}): 2018

Individual

• AFL Rising Star nominee: 2012
• Yiooken Award: 2015
• Jack Titus Medal (2nd RFC B&F): 2014
• 5th place, Gold Coast B&F: 2020
• 3× 22under22 team: 2013, 2014, 2015

His father was treated for kidney cancer when Ellis was a child and in 2009, also received a terminal throat cancer diagnoses but overcame the illness through six months of extensive radiation and chemotherapy.{{cite book|last1=Marshall|first1=Konrad|title=Yellow & Black: A Season with Richmond|date=15 November 2016|publisher=Slattery Media Group|location=Melbourne, Victoria, Australia|isbn=9780987342898|page=284}}

As a child, Ellis grew up and lived in a housing commission flat in Melbourne's inner north. As a teenager he was frequently exposed to the crime prevalent in the area including regular incidents of his clothes being stolen from the flat's shared clothesline, himself thieving clothes from city retailers and watching friends stabbed and assaulted in front of him.{{cite book|last1=Marshall|first1=Konrad|title=Yellow & Black: A Season with Richmond|date=15 November 2016|publisher=Slattery Media Group|location=Melbourne, Victoria, Australia|isbn=9780987342898|page=286}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{GCplayer}}
• {{AFL Tables|ref=B/Brandon_Ellis.html}}
• [http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pp-richmond-tigers--brandon-ellis Brandon Ellis's statistics] from Footy Wire

{{2017 Richmond premiership players}}

{{2019 Richmond premiership players}}

{{2012 AFL Rising Star nominees}}

{{2011 AFL national draft}}

{{Yiooken Award}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ellis, Brandon}}

Category:Living people

Category:1993 births

Category:Calder Cannons players

Category:Australian rules footballers from Melbourne

Category:Richmond Football Club players

Category:Richmond Football Club premiership players

Category:Gold Coast Football Club players

Category:VFL/AFL premiership players