RICHMOND is expected to head to Echuca in February next year for its

annual AFL community camp.

The AFL is yet to officially announce the destinations of the 16 clubs for the community camps, but The Advertiser understands the Tigers are slated for Echuca.

February 5 to 7 is earmarked as the date of the three-day camp, which have been held since 2003.

For Richmond player Daniel Connors, the community camp will give him

the opportunity to return to his home town.

Connors, who was drafted to Richmond with selection 58 at last year's national draft, is originally from Echuca.

"It's a chance to get back to Echuca, which is good," Connors said yesterday.

"I don't get the chance to get back there too often, it's really only Christmas and spare weekends, so to be able to spend a few days up

there will be good."

Connors returned to Echuca last weekend following the drafting of his younger brother Eljay to St Kilda.

The selection of 17-year-old Eljay with pick 70 by the Saints was one of the surprises of the draft after the lightly-built wingman played just three games for the Bendigo Pioneers this year because of two collapsed lungs.

"I had heard a couple of clubs were interested in him because he had played a couple of good games before he got injured," Connors said.

"I knew he was always going to be on the radar, but I was surprised that he got picked up this year."

Connors is presently in his second pre-season training campaign with the Tigers, although he has been forced off the track since last Wednesday after suffering a foot hot spot, meaning he needs to wear a moon boot.

"I'll have another week in the boot, but hopefully, I will be back into training sooner rather than later," the 19-year-old said.

Connors was pleased with his debut season with the Tigers this year, breaking into the side for the round 17 game against the Sydney Swans and finishing the year with four AFL games.

Among his four AFL games was against premier Geelong at Skilled Stadium in round 18 when he amassed 25 possessions and was named in the best players.

"It was good to get my first game out of the way and play a couple more to see what it's all about," said Connors, who also played in Coburg's losing VFL grand final side to Geelong.

"Hopefully, next year I can be more consistent and try to play some more games."