Albury’s Kieran Ellis is the latest Murray Bushranger to be promoted into the VFL following a call up to the Essendon VFL team this Saturday 2nd August. Ellis returned to the Bushrangers in 2014 as a 19 year old and has demonstrated great form with both the Bushrangers and the New South Wales / ACT Under 18 team
Murray Bushrangers Talent Manager Lee Fraser highlighted that the VFL pathway as a crucial aspect of the clubs 19 year old program. “As a club we see it as a key component of the 19 year old season is getting exposure to the VFL, there is a clear pathway between TAC CUP, VFL and then into the AFL system”.
“As a club we have noticed our captain Nick Mellington benefit greatly from his VFL experience earlier in the season and fellow 19 year old Nathan Drummond is currently in the Richmond VFL team’.
“Bushranger coach Darren Ogier with the support of our defensive coach Laurie Hammond have worked closely with Kieran on specific aspects of his game which has seen him perform as a running defender and more recently through the middle of the ground’
“Kieran has a soccer background and has not played a lot of junior football, being his 3rd year in the program Kieran has demonstrated good running power and an ability to use the ball well” “Kieran has also benefited through the support of the Albury Football Club who exposed him to Ovens & Murray senior football over the last few years”.
Ellis is penciled into play up to 2 games with the Bombers VFL team providing him with an opportunity to experience an AFL environment and perform against current listed AFL players.
Murray Bushrangers Talent Manger Lee Fraser emphasized the strong alignment between the TAC CUP and AFL clubs. “As a club we work closely with AFL clubs regarding our playing list, the Essendon Football Club have expressed interest in Kieran playing in their VFL side, the time is now right for Kieran to step into the VFL”.
Fraser highlighted that there would be more VFL opportunities for Bushrangers over coming weeks. ‘Darren Ogier and myself will continue to liaise with AFL clubs on a weekly basis and identify VFL opportunities throughout the remainder of the 2014 season’
Last Modified on 28/07/2014 16:19