He has recently moved house to Jolimont, meaning he’s only about 100 metres from the MCG.
The young Hawk’s new location will serve him well for the club’s 10 season fixtures at the home of football.
“I think I’ll just whack the runners on and walk across. I hope they open up the ground early enough for me,” he says.
The 20-year-old shares his house with an old school friend from his boarding days at Melbourne Grammar, but insists his housemate has Hawthorn’s best interests at heart.
“Obviously there are times when he’s out enjoying his social life when I can’t, but he’s a big Hawthorn fan so he tucks me into bed and tells me that I can’t come out.”
Ellis played 13 matches last season and was named best first-year player.
He believes he can have an even better season this year.
“I’m in a much better position to play football with my body and more understanding of the rigors of AFL football,” Ellis says.
“There’s no extra pressure on me, I just think I’m better placed to have a more consistent season.”
Ellis mainly played in defence in 2007, with stints in the midfield, but he has no doubt what his favourite position is.
“I’m chewing Alastair Clarkson’s ear off about throwing me into the midfield but at the moment I’m pretty happy on the wing, half-back, with a little bit in midfield. But my long-term goal is definitely to play in midfield all the time.
“I spent most of the NAB Cup there, which was great to get to play in there with Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge and Brad Sewell and those guys because you learn so much from them.”
Ellis says last year’s best and fairest winner Brad Sewell has been instrumental in helping his development on the field.
“I sat down after the NAB Cup games with Brad and he had watched my games with me and picked up on a few bits and pieces that I can improve on for this year that will hopefully help me in the future.”
The Hawks face Melbourne without Campbell Brown, Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis and Shane Crawford, all of whom are suspended, but Ellis says the team with the youngest playing list in the league isn’t intimidated. In fact, younger squad members are treating the lack of such stars as a positive.
“It creates a lot of opportunities for the blokes who have been in the wings now for one or two years to get out there,” he says.
“The cherry is that it’s an opportunity for whoever plays in the midfield or takes up those positions. If they play well it’s going to be hard for them to be omitted from the side so we’re all very hungry to play good football and cement our spots.”
Xavier Ellis Feature
By Catherine Murphy
HAWTHORN’S XAVIER Ellis doesn’t have far to travel for his side’s first-round clash against Melbourne on Sunday.
He has recently moved house to Jolimont, meaning he’s only about 100 metres from the MCG.
The young Hawk’s new location will serve him well for the club’s 10 season fixtures at the home of football.
“I think I’ll just whack the runners on and walk across. I hope they open up the ground early enough for me,” he says.
The 20-year-old shares his house with an old school friend from his boarding days at Melbourne Grammar, but insists his housemate has Hawthorn’s best interests at heart.
“Obviously there are times when he’s out enjoying his social life when I can’t, but he’s a big Hawthorn fan so he tucks me into bed and tells me that I can’t come out.”
Ellis played 13 matches last season and was named best first-year player.
He believes he can have an even better season this year.
“I’m in a much better position to play football with my body and more understanding of the rigors of AFL football,” Ellis says.
“There’s no extra pressure on me, I just think I’m better placed to have a more consistent season.”
Ellis mainly played in defence in 2007, with stints in the midfield, but he has no doubt what his favourite position is.
“I’m chewing Alastair Clarkson’s ear off about throwing me into the midfield but at the moment I’m pretty happy on the wing, half-back, with a little bit in midfield. But my long-term goal is definitely to play in midfield all the time.
“I spent most of the NAB Cup there, which was great to get to play in there with Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge and Brad Sewell and those guys because you learn so much from them.”
Ellis says last year’s best and fairest winner Brad Sewell has been instrumental in helping his development on the field.
“I sat down after the NAB Cup games with Brad and he had watched my games with me and picked up on a few bits and pieces that I can improve on for this year that will hopefully help me in the future.”
The Hawks face Melbourne without Campbell Brown, Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis and Shane Crawford, all of whom are suspended, but Ellis says the team with the youngest playing list in the league isn’t intimidated. In fact, younger squad members are treating the lack of such stars as a positive.
“It creates a lot of opportunities for the blokes who have been in the wings now for one or two years to get out there,” he says.
“The cherry is that it’s an opportunity for whoever plays in the midfield or takes up those positions. If they play well it’s going to be hard for them to be omitted from the side so we’re all very hungry to play good football and cement our spots.”
