As the sun sets over People First Stadium the number 4 jersey is laid to rest. The team's tireless warrior, Brandon Ellis, has announced his retirement from professional football.
Ellis has had an incredible journey over his 251 matches in the AFL.
From growing up in a housing commission flat and being surrounded by football while his parents put everything on the line, to now being described by his coach Damien Hardwick as the poster boy for maximising his career.
That is a testament to how Brandon Ellis has won with the cards life dealt him.
“I’m honoured to have had such an amazing journey in the AFL and to have met some incredible people who will be a part of my life forever,” Ellis said.
“Dimma means the world to me. He gave me a new chance at life, took me as an 18-year-old out of the commission flats and brought me into an AFL environment where I was able to thrive.”
Ellis’s journey through the AFL is a true demonstration of a never give up attitude.
He has become a representation of perseverance and determination from the moment he was drafted into the AFL.
Throughout his career, Ellis has received various accolades, none higher than winning two premierships with Richmond in 2017 and 2019.
Among those accolades are also a Jack Titus medal for second in the Richmond Best & Fairest (2014), selection in the inaugural AFL Players Association 22under22 team, and a top five finish in the SUNS Club Champion (2020).
“Hard work was never going to be an issue for me because I had to fight tooth and nail to get to AFL level,” Ellis said.
“I’d like to thank the Richmond Football Club for changing my life and giving me the opportunity to live my dream."
Ellis’s journey only had just begun as he made his way to the Gold Coast SUNS in 2020.
His development from an enthusiastic newcomer to an experienced leader has been nothing short of amazing.
Ellis, a man of passion and powerful on-field presence, has been a key component of the SUNS’ midfield, leading the group with both skill and courage.
“To my Gold Coast SUNS family, it’s been a great adventure to move our life up here and it has been the best decision we’ve ever made,” Ellis said.
“Gold Coast is home now, and we can’t see ourselves leaving anytime soon.”
The 30-year-old said fronting his teammates to deliver his news was arguably more nerve-wracking than making his AFL debut.
“I’ve probably known for the last couple of weeks that this was coming, and this was the day I was going to announce it,” Ellis Said
“I walked in, and I didn’t want to make too much eye contact because I probably would’ve started tearing up.”
“The young talent up here is so professional and so capable.”
So, while Ellis’s time sets at People First Stadium, he looks back on his journey through the AFL with no regrets.
With future endeavours outside of the AFL arena, Ellis is grateful for everyone who has supported him and taken him under his wing, because without that he may not be in the position he is today.
His final message to his teammates was to trust in the process his long-term coach and mentor had been instilling this season.
“We’ve just got to make sure we keep believing, believing in the gameplan, believing in one another and believing in that we can do it,” he said.
“The boys are in good hands under Dimma, he’s a great coach, he knows what his doing.”
“I’ve formed some great mates here and I’m still going to be a part of their journey and a part of this club, whether they like it or not.”
