Andrew Boston speaks on Brandon Ellis’ first game with South Cairns Cutters in AFL Cairns
Anzac Day footy is always a special occasion, but the debut of an former Richmond and Gold Coast AFL player only added to the occasion for one club. Read what their coach had to say.
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Anzac Day footy in AFL Cairns is always a day that clubs look to as a key moment in their season, but for South Cairns Cutters the day was made even more momentous by the arrival of their prized recruit, ex-Richmond star Brandon Ellis.
Ellis played 251 AFL games for Richmond and Gold Coast Suns, winning premierships with the Tigers in 2017 and 2019, and came second in the club best and fairest in 2014.
He had the on-field impact one would expect from such a quality player, gathering 32 disposals at 87.5% efficiency, and booted a goal to be among the Cutters’ best in a 16.12 (108) to 9.10 (64) victory over North Cairns Tigers.
South Cairns’ senior coach Andrew Boston - an ex-Sun who played 16 AFL games from 2013-15 before having a successful career for Southport in the NEAFL and VFL - said the recruitment was about more than just what Ellis could do on the field.
“‘Brando’ is a good bloke, that’s why we’re lucky to have him at our football club,” Cutters senior coach Andrew Boston said.
“The biggest thing for me is to bring people in to the Cutters that aren’t just good footy players, they’re even better people.
“I know he’s had a great time coming in and being a part of the culture that we’ve built at the club.”
As for what Ellis’ presence at the club will do for the Cutters this season, Boston said there’s no doubt it has further bolstered their existing playing list as they look to further mount their premiership defence.
“For our club, it’s just good to have that kind of quality around.
“The boys stand a little bit taller when he’s around, it’s a massive positive. He played very well on the weekend, but importantly it was within the role that we had for him.
“The biggest thing for us was for him to buy into our culture, and he did it perfectly.”
The Cutters are now 3-0 to begin their 2025 campaign, and will gear up for a showdown with fellow undefeated outfit Cairns City Lions, who have featured former Port Adelaide and Geelong AFL gun Steven Motlop in their two fixtures so far.
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Originally published as Andrew Boston speaks on Brandon Ellis’ first game with South Cairns Cutters in AFL Cairns
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