Corey Ellis (Western Jets)

Height: 185 cm
Weight: 76 kg
Position: Midfielder/utility
Strengths: Kicking, vision, tackling
Areas needing improvement: Consistency on the big stage, finding the football
Player comparison: Steele Sidebottom

Corey Ellis is one of the Jekyll and Hyde cases for 2014. At his best, he is scintillating, but his worst is absolutely abysmal. He can be one of the most lethal players by foot, and has elite upside.

His first two games for Vic Metro yielded astonishing averages: 19 disposals, 5.5 tackles, 4.5 inside 50s and a disposal efficiency of 84.5%. In stark contrast, his last two games had averages of 12.5 disposals, 2.5 tackles, 2.5 clangers, two inside 50’s and 48% disposal efficiency.

When Jets games have been reported on, Ellis seems to be a quiet achiever. His stats seem to be great, but a lot of them can be short chip passes that bolster his game. At his best, Ellis is an elite creator, whose kicking can break apart defences and start attacks.

His delivery into the 50 is silver service. He sees targets that no one else does, and he often chooses the risky yet potentially more dangerous option when moving forward. That can be his calling card, and yet, it can be his demise at the same time.

Ellis is a solid tackler for a guy with a light frame. His season high of eight against the Chargers is excellent, and if he is used as a small forward in the AFL, his forward pressure will win him game time.

Ellis has had one truly dominant game for the Jets this year: however, it was against the Northern Territory, a much weaker opponent. His stats of 35 disposals, 2.1, 11 handball receives and 11 marks is absolutely incredible. However, he hasn’t hit quite that peak against stronger opponents.

His season averages are very solid however, with 24.3 disposals at 62% efficiency, which is great for a high risk player, as well as six handball receives, four marks and three tackles. Those numbers are excellent for someone who is seen as a quality over quantity player.

He is certainly an unfinished prospect, and he will take time at AFL level. Earlier in the year, he looked as though he could have pushed for top ten. He may slide out to the second round if other players show they deserve the spot more.