Gold Coast veteran and Richmond premiership player Brandon Ellis has announced his retirement after more than 250 games at AFL level.
The 30-year-old was due to see his contract with the Suns reach its conclusion at the cessation of the current season, with injury issues leading to the wingman's decision to call time on his carer with immediate effect.
Ellis joined the Suns as a free agent in 2019 after a successful 176-game stint with Richmond, where he played a role in two of the club's premierships before heading north on a five-year deal.
The West Coburg product joined the Tigers as a first-round selection via the 2011 National Draft and would make his AFL debut the following year, playing 21 games in his maiden season at Punt Road.
Ellis played at least 20 games in seven of his eight seasons with Richmond, a run that included an All-Australian squad selection and a runner-up finish in the club's best and fairest count in 2014.
The outside midfielder played in both of the Tigers' grand final wins over Adelaide and GWS in 2017 and 2019 respectively, featuring in a total of nine finals across his career - winning six and losing three.
โI'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,โ Ellis said in a club statement.
โI'd like to thank the Richmond Football Club for changing my life and giving me the opportunity to live my dream.
โTo 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. Gold Coast is home now and we can't see ourselves leaving anytime soon.
โTo Dimma, thank you for everything from the very beginning to the end. You have had a massive impact on my life and I can wholeheartedly say I am a better man because of you.
โTo my family and partner Sarah โ you are the most important people to me and I am forever in debt to you. Thank you for your unwavering support to allow me to live my dream.โ
Ellis has played 75 games for the Suns across his five seasons in Queensland, holding down a role on the wing to average over 20 disposals per game during his time on the Gold Coast.
A calf injury has hampered Ellis' 2024 campaign, with the Suns veteran playing four games at AFL level under his old Richmond coach Damien Hardwick to reach 251 career matches in the top flight.
Ellis played seven games in the VFL for the Suns this year.
