Brandon Ellis

Brandon Ellis (born 3 August 1993) is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing for the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Ellis played junior football for West Coburg in Melbourne's inner-north before moving to the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup where he played 29 games across his bottom and top aged seasons.

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.

He attended high school at Princes Hill Secondary College in the Melbourne suburb of North Carlton.

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 Carlton. 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 North Melbourne.

In Round 8, 2013 Ellis recorded a career-best 39 disposals in Richmond's 34-point victory over Melbourne. 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.

Ellis received the Jack Titus medal in 2014, for finishing second in the Richmond Best-and-Fairest count. He led the club in disposals and rebound 50s and placed fourth in the club at the Brownlow Medal. He was also nominated to the All-Australian squad of 40 but was ultimately not selected to the final side. That same year he earned his second selection to the AFLPA's 22under22 team.

Ellis at Richmond's family day in December 2016

Ellis had another strong season in 2015, relishing his role as the club's number one outside midfielder. He topped the club for uncontested possessions and ranked second for total disposals. He failed to make an impact in Richmond's losing elimination final however, recording only 10 disposals on the day.

Between Round 4 2010 and Round 19 2015, Ellis recorded a club record streak of 27 straight matches with 20 or more disposals.

He played his 100th AFL game in Round 12, 2016, against the Gold Coast Suns at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He finished the season ranked 3rd at the club for disposals in 2016.

Since debuting in 2012, Ellis has missed just three games; two in 2012 and one in 2013.

He is contracted to the Tigers until the end of the 2017 season.