Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has his wish, with premiership defender Brandon Ellis back in the side for the AFL blockbuster against Collingwood.
After playing every game in the Tigers’ triumphant 2017 season, Ellis’ career stalled last year and he was dropped for the finals.
He will be a restricted free agent at the end of this season and Hardwick wants Ellis back as a regular in the senior team.
Ellis earned his recall with 40 possessions last weekend in a VFL practice match.
“He’s a funny one, Brandon – I always feel better when I have him in the side,” Hardwick said.
Ellis is one of three inclusions for the Tigers, who have lost Alex Rance for the season with a knee reconstruction.
Fellow defender Bachar Houli is also out because of a hamstring injury.
They demoted first-gamer Noah Balta, while also recalling Jason Castagna and Oleg Markov.
It will be Markov’s first senior game since 2017.
The Magpies made one change, bringing in utility Levi Greenwood for Callum Brown.
Given his strong game on Dustin Martin in last year’s preliminary final boilover, Greenwood will most likely go to the star Richmond midfielder again in a run-with role.
But Hardwick noted that Greenwood also can cause headaches off half-back, one of several Magpies around the centre square who could hurt the Tigers.
“Midfields are relying less on … players going through there and more on the talent around the park,” Hardwick said.
“The clearance and midfield battle is incredibly crucial, but so are the players around the outside – the half-backs and half forwards.
“(Collingwood) have a very, very strong midfield, but then I look at their wingers in young (Tom) Phillips and Chris Mayne, how important they are.
“Their half-backs in (Jack) Crisp and Greenwood … there a lot of things that we have to work our way through – as have Collingwood with our side as well.”