FOR HAWK Xavier Ellis, his three years at Melbourne Grammar's boarding school, wasn’t just atime when he learned basic “survival skills” such as cooking and doing laundry.His time at the school also provided him with some of his best friends.
When Ellis first arrived at the school, he was told he wouldbe rooming with a guy called Tom Hawkins, now known to many as Geelong’s ‘Tomahawk’. The pair have beenclose ever since and Ellis admits that sometimes they can scarcely believe howwell their lives have panned out.
“Last year we both played for Melbourne Grammar and wecouldn't string together many wins,” Ellis says.
“But this year, Geelonghave been doing exceptionally well and [Hawthorn has] been doing well, too. So,we've definitely been pinching ourselves about it all.”
Ellis admits that during the teenagers’ time at MelbourneGrammar, there might have been the odd time when the pair broke the strictcurfew imposed on them.
“The window was the option we used, not that I should saythat. We may have, at some time, been able to sneak out the front window,”laughs Ellis.
Although the teenagers no longer live in each other’spockets, they keep in regular contact and follow each other’s footy careers withclose interest.
“We still talk on the phone regularly and we catch up a fairbit. I try and watch as many of his games as I can and vice versa, but when itcomes to playing against each other, the gloves come off,” Ellis says.
In fact the former schoolmates matched-up against each otherin the Hawks’ round four victory over the Cats.
“We sort of had a smile and a giggle on the field together,so we're not too competitive with each other,” Ellis insists.
The 19-year-old’s current accommodation is a bit differentto when he used to room with the Tomahawk. He now lives with the Benham family,who do all his cooking and cleaning. The family have been housing Hawthornplayers for years, even putting a roof over Shane Crawford’s head when he firstcame to Melbourne.Ellis maintains that he is a much better lodger than Shane was.
“Quite a few times they have alluded to my behaviour being alittle bit better than what Shane's was when he was my age. He enjoyed a bit ofwrestling on the couch. I live with Beau Muston who's a bit bigger than me, soI won't be doing any wrestling,” Ellis jokes.
Despite hearing tales of Crawford’s teenage misdemeanours,Ellis says the Brownlow Medallist is one of the Hawks he looks up to.
“You look at Shane Crawford and Sam Mitchell and how theyplay consistent football week in, week out. They are the sort of role models Ilook up to and admire most,” Ellis says.
Ellis believes that if Sam Mitchell had gone to boardingschool, there’s no way the would have been using the windows as escape options.
“I think he would have been tucked up in bed early at about7.30 every night,” laughs Ellis.
“His professionalism is amazing. I'm not at that level butI'm slowly and surely learning the caper of what you should and shouldn't bedoing and what I shouldn't be eating. But I’ll get there.”
