Free agent Brandon Ellis to walk out on Richmond for Gold Coast after Grand Final
Brandon Ellis will play his last game for Richmond in the Grand Final, with the gut-runner to walk out on the Tigers for a new club. We reveal where he’ll play in season 2020.
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Brandon Ellis could leave Richmond as a dual premiership player, with the wingman agreeing to join Gold Coast.
Ellis, a restricted free agent at season’s end, had attracted interest from a handful of Melbourne-based clubs, but has settled on the Suns.
It’s understood the deal is for five years at about $600,000 a season — a contract thought to be just under the threshold that would deliver the Tigers a first-round compensation pick.
There is a slim chance Ellis could stay at Punt Road, given free agency rules allow Richmond to match any rival offer.
But, barring any unforeseen list changes, that is considered extremely unlikely as Ellis seeks greater financial security.
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Ellis, 26, has played 175 games in eight years at Richmond, but Saturday’s Grand Final will almost certainly be his last after he met with Suns officials during the year.
Carlton had courted the gut-runner for much of the season before suddenly withdrawing its interest, while St Kilda and Essendon had also made inquiries.
Ellis remained coy on his future on Monday.
“As I said at the start of the year, I’m just going to put it on hold until after the season’s done and after hopefully being lucky enough to play in a Grand Final,” Ellis said.
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“The club’s been awesome and they’ve supported me through everything that has sort of being thrown at me this year
“I will hopefully have something sorted in the next couple of weeks.”
Ellis won’t be the only one out the door at Richmond as the Tigers continue to refresh their list.
Dan Butler, who managed only seven senior games this year, has met with rival clubs, including the Blues.
Premiership ruckman Shaun Grigg and Mav Weller have announced their retirements, while Connor Menadue is out of contract.
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