How do you "explain the place value relationship when the same two digits are next to each other in a multi-digits number

Lets look at the number 221
The first 2 on the left is in the hundreds place and the 2 that follows is in the thens place and the 1 is in the ones place

Let look at the number 3221.
The number after the 3 is in the hundreds place and the 3 number from the left is in the tens place

There are all types of ways to explain.

What are the options

The first digit is in the middle school 100s place