Brandon Ellis

[TigerMasochist]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

a couple of costly fumbles and could have gone in harder at times, but tracking well for a second year player. generally his hands are clean, just needs to toughen up around the contest and not take his eyes off it. this will come with a couple more pre-seasons. has good run, spread, link up and delivery.

Geez Harry, Bit harsh on the toughen up comment. Watched him stand under plenty of hot ball. Think his taking eyes off the ball is nothing more than the exuberant inexperience of a kid, simply nothing more than searching for the release option a split second before he has the ball under control, rather than expecting opposition heat in close.

 

[Leysy Days]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

Last few weeks will give him great belief.

Really coming on. Always thought the Heath Shaw comparison was a good one for him to aim at and he's progressing towards it.

Like him playing centre-back. Would keep in there.

 

[Juffaricho]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

Think your selling him short Juffa. He already tries to get the ball forward of half back. The next step is getting kicks forward of centre. The most important runners carry the ball or find space at the back of the centre square and carry it over the line to set up attacks. That's Brando's next step. No wide ball, more attacking kicks over the middle. But the most pleasing thing is that he is improving rapidly.

It sounds like you said the same thing as me.
All I'm saying is if he keeps doing what he is doing opposing coaches will start targeting him. At that point, we'll find out if at this stage of his a career he is a neat role player or an above average young talent. The thing I look at is if an opposing coach targets him because of his ability to set up play with his kicking and vision does he then have that one-touch in close ability or acceleration to still be an effective contributor when more possessions will be heavily contested. As other people have pointed out he is still a bit fumbly with his hands when the ball is on ground (which is surprising cos' his hands are so good in the air) and I think we all agree that his 1st 5 steps will never be quick. So we'll just have to wait and see how he goes when they target him to take away his open hit ups.

I've always agreed with the comparisons to Heath Shaw but Heath does have a lot faster first few steps which helps him break lines and get out of trouble. I think Brandon is going to have to release balls quicker than Heath which is fine as long as he can spot the guy up field and dispose of it quickly and hit the target all while the heat is on.

I don't think I'm selling him short, I just think I'm not jumping 2 steps ahead in his development where others are already convinced he will do it. I think playing him alongside Newman and Houli is very good for him right now because if you have 3 great disposers of the ball in the same part of the field then opposition coaches won't target all of them so it will be great for his confidence and development if Brandon got left alone for a while.

As is always the case.... time will tell.

 

[Col.E.Kurtz]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

It sounds like you said the same thing as me.
All I'm saying is if he keeps doing what he is doing opposing coaches will start targeting him. At that point, we'll find out if at this stage of his a career he is a neat role player or an above average young talent. The thing I look at is if an opposing coach targets him because of his ability to set up play with his kicking and vision does he then have that one-touch in close ability or acceleration to still be an effective contributor when more possessions will be heavily contested. As other people have pointed out he is still a bit fumbly with his hands when the ball is on ground (which is surprising cos' his hands are so good in the air) and I think we all agree that his 1st 5 steps will never be quick. So we'll just have to wait and see how he goes when they target him to take away his open hit ups.

I've always agreed with the comparisons to Heath Shaw but Heath does have a lot faster first few steps which helps him break lines and get out of trouble. I think Brandon is going to have to release balls quicker than Heath which is fine as long as he can spot the guy up field and dispose of it quickly and hit the target all while the heat is on.

I don't think I'm selling him short, I just think I'm not jumping 2 steps ahead in his development where others are already convinced he will do it. I think playing him alongside Newman and Houli is very good for him right now because if you have 3 great disposers of the ball in the same part of the field then opposition coaches won't target all of them so it will be great for his confidence and development if Brandon got left alone for a while.

As is always the case.... time will tell.

Really good analysis.

He's never going to get faster, but if he get cleaner, even fitter and smarter he can be a top 5 in the B&F type player.

What I like about Ellis is he demonstrates a capacity to get better. Although he is not great below his knees, he is still much better than he was last year.

The most important (and underrated) X factor for young players is desire for self-improvement. He has it.

 

[spook]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

The weapon Ellis has to counteract his lack of pace is his dual-sidedness. Not only can he kick left foot, which buys him a little time, but his left has great penetration - it's flat and hard and long.

On dual-sidedness, it still staggers me blokes get to afl level and are one-sided. What are junior coaches doing? It should be Skills Coaching 101. In under 12s.

 

[TigerMoz]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

The weapon Ellis has to counteract his lack of pace is his dual-sidedness. Not only can he kick left foot, which buys him a little time, but his left has great penetration - it's flat and hard and long.

On dual-sidedness, it still staggers me blokes get to afl level and are one-sided. What are junior coaches doing? It should be Skills Coaching 101. In under 12s.

Tell that to Nahas. Then send him a video of Sam Mitchell.

 

[Barnzy]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

Tell that to Nahas. Then send him a video of Sam Mitchell.

Nahas gets a rough rep for the lack of a left. You could send the same video to half our side or half the league. Would be probably quicker to name players who are adequately dual sided than those who aren't. As spook said it's amazing to see at this level because its a valuable trait. Steele Sidebottom and Sam Mitchell are the best examples.

 

[lamb22]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

Nahas gets a rough rep for the lack of a left. You could send the same video to half our side or half the league. Would be probably quicker to name players who are adequately dual sided than those who aren't. As spook said it's amazing to see at this level because its a valuable trait. Steele Sidebottom and Sam Mitchell are the best examples.

You don't have to travel far for an example. Jakey has shown up Nahas in the last two weeks with 2 superb left foot snaps.

You should stop clinging to skill challenged players and open your eyes to what complete players look like.

 

[MB78]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

The most important (and underrated) X factor for young players is desire for self-improvement. He has it.

Sure does a great kid with a bright future in Yellow and Black.

 

[Barnzy]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

You don't have to travel far for an example. Jakey has shown up Nahas in the last two weeks with 2 superb left foot snaps.

You should stop clinging to skill challenged players and open your eyes to what complete players look like.

Odd post.

No doubt King has had a good start to the year.

 

[Carter]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

Geez he's good. So good you like the ball in his hands. A second year player. I'd love to see him get time in the middle with a licence to deliver into the forward line.

Is compact and clean, a good size too. Just a really solid player, the type Geelong rack up over the years and eventually have one on every line.

 

[tigergollywog]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

The weapon Ellis has to counteract his lack of pace is his dual-sidedness. Not only can he kick left foot, which buys him a little time, but his left has great penetration - it's flat and hard and long.

you could make $5 a minute with a phone service spook, such are your arousing words

 

[spook]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

you could make $5 a minute with a phone service spook, such are your arousing words

Golly, I knew when I typed the words there was an entendre or two to be read into them, but as I've already been warned this is a family site, thought it best left to others to point out.

On the skills, unbelievable. As lamby says, a supposed unskilled suburban hack like Kingy has a great left peg, because he's put the work into it. In soccer, juniors have to demonstrate a range of skills in order to progress and receive certificates etc. It's all about technique - why not in our sport? In tennis, kids are taught the correct way to hit a forehand AND backhand. WTF are they doing at the AIS-Academy - or at any junior club, for that matter. All it takes is practice.

 

[Soda]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

Odd post.

No doubt King has had a good start to the year.

Lamb was spot on.

King has been a much more rounded player than Nahas his whole career.
King has been an important player since being moved forward.
King doesn't lose many 50/50 contests, Nahas doesn't win many.

Nahas has no place in our best 22, somebody (spook?) called it not long ago, Nahas is a good backup.

 

[tigergollywog]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

Golly, I knew when I typed the words there was an entendre or two to be read into them, but as I've already been warned this is a family site, thought it best left to others to point out.

On the skills, unbelievable. As lamby says, a supposed unskilled suburban hack like Kingy has a great left peg, because he's put the work into it. In soccer, juniors have to demonstrate a range of skills in order to progress and receive certificates etc. It's all about technique - why not in our sport? In tennis, kids are taught the correct way to hit a forehand AND backhand. WTF are they doing at the AIS-Academy - or at any junior club, for that matter. All it takes is practice.

no entendre or sexual innuendo spook. Ever since Nick Daffys 9-iron kicks inside 50, Ive become excited by long, flat ,penetrating kicks by tigers. Your description of brandons boot brought a warm smile to my heart. I was making a joke that you could set up a tiger text line and charge to warm the weary tiger fan.

On duel sidedness. I couldnt agree more. I coach junior footy and the kids that are miles ahead of the pack, I make them kick non-preferered in matches sometimes. I even take them off if they slip onto their preferered foot. They get shitty, but their parent see what I am doing.

Has that indigenous kid who I think freo picked in the first round last year played yet? Possibly the most duel sided kid ive ever seen. cant remember his name.

 

[GoodOne]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

Nahas gets a rough rep for the lack of a left.

Easily the worst I have seen on the left. Actually I could be wrong, I've never seen him kick on his left. When you refuse to snap with your left when you're less than 10 metres out and try to somehow bend your right leg sideways to get the foot on the ball instead, you know you have problems. No doubt there are others as well but most can kick at least adequately on the wrong if necessary.

 

[tigergollywog]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

Easily the worst I have seen on the left. Actually I could be wrong, I've never seen him kick on his left. When you refuse to snap with your left when you're less than 10 metres out and try to somehow bend your right leg sideways to get the foot on the ball instead, you know you have problems. No doubt there are others as well but most can kick at least adequately on the wrong if necessary.

yep. 0 left. unviable.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

no entendre or sexual innuendo spook. Ever since Nick Daffys 9-iron kicks inside 50, Ive become excited by long, flat ,penetrating kicks by tigers. Your description of brandons boot brought a warm smile to my heart. I was making a joke that you could set up a tiger text line and charge to warm the weary tiger fan.

On duel sidedness. I couldnt agree more. I coach junior footy and the kids that are miles ahead of the pack, I make them kick non-preferered in matches sometimes. I even take them off if they slip onto their preferered foot. They get sh!tty, but their parent see what I am doing.

Has that indigenous kid who I think freo picked in the first round last year played yet? Possibly the most duel sided kid ive ever seen. cant remember his name.

Have told the story before on here of Michael Hurley's dad making him kick one left and one right foot kick from the first moment he took him down to the park with a football.
It should start at Auskick level (which is about where Nahas is at with his left).

 

[spook]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

Nahas has no place in our best 22, somebody (spook?) called it not long ago, Nahas is a good backup.

I called it last year I believe. At least in the off-season.

no entendre or sexual innuendo spook. Ever since Nick Daffys 9-iron kicks inside 50, Ive become excited by long, flat ,penetrating kicks by tigers. Your description of brandons boot brought a warm smile to my heart. I was making a joke that you could set up a tiger text line and charge to warm the weary tiger fan.

On duel sidedness. I couldnt agree more. I coach junior footy and the kids that are miles ahead of the pack, I make them kick non-preferered in matches sometimes. I even take them off if they slip onto their preferered foot. They get sh!tty, but their parent see what I am doing.

Has that indigenous kid who I think freo picked in the first round last year played yet? Possibly the most duel sided kid ive ever seen. cant remember his name.

Good coaching Golly. Make 'em work on it at practice too.

The Freo player you're thinking of is Josh Simpson. Hasn't played yet but I think he's close. Leon Cameron would have to be the most dual-sided I've seen.

 

[lamb22]

Re: Welcome Brandon Ellis

Lamb was spot on.

King has been a much more rounded player than Nahas his whole career.
King has been an important player since being moved forward.
King doesn't lose many 50/50 contests, Nahas doesn't win many.

Nahas has no place in our best 22, somebody (spook?) called it not long ago, Nahas is a good backup.

You gotta love a lot of things about Jakey.

In the warm up I usually keep an eye on King. One of his warm up routines is getting a simulated crumb and snapping on either side. He misses almost all his shots on the left.

When the game starts and the pressure is on he nails them on the left. Just gotta love Jake!