AFL trade news: Bulldog expected to find new home

“For him to extend his career, it might have to be elsewhere.”

SUBSCRIBER | September 5, 2021 - 1:43pm

Western Bulldogs veteran Mitch Wallis has been urged to look for a new home in order to extend his career.

Wallis has found himself out of favour in the last two years after arguably a career best season in 2020. The father-son selection reinvented himself as a forward and hit the scoreboard with good regularity.

He booted 25 goals in 18 games and became a key part of the Bulldogs forward line.

Speaking on Fox Footy, Western Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson said he believes Wallis' time at the Bulldogs may be just about done. He has only managed to play six games this season with Luke Beveridge preferring Cody Weightman and Laitham Vandermeer over the experienced Dog.

Johnson said that Wallis may need another club to take him on should he want to extend his career.

“A couple of years ago he was under pressure and he was able to work through that," Johnson said.

iMELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Mitch Wallis of the Bulldogs (right) congratulates Tom Liberatore of the Bulldogs on a goal during the 2017 AFL round 19 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Essendon Bombers at Etihad Stadium on July 30, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

"He found his spot in the side last year in Covid and played really well.

“(He) Hasn’t had a look in this year, some thought he might’ve had some opportunities when the side was struggling a little bit. (He) didn’t get that so I think for Mitch to extend his career, it might have to be elsewhere.”

Before the finals series kicked off Sam Edmund of SEN reported that Wallis' relationship with Berveridge had become strained and was maybe a reason the two parties would look to split.

“Mitch Wallis has been frozen out of the Dogs and we know that," Edmund said.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 22: Mitch Wallis of the Bulldogs celebrates a goal during the 2018 AFL round 18 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium on July 22, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

“I’m hearing it actually might’ve really strained some relationships there at Whitten Oval between player and coach when it comes to Mitch Wallis, who is the vice-captain, who has been completely shut out of the Dogs this year.”

Wallis isn't the only Bulldogs who may be seeking the exit door at the end of the season. Midfielder Patrick Lipinski is reportedly keen to seek a trade with the potential for more consistent game time and time in midfield the main reason for him seeking pastures new.

Lipinski has been linked with a move to either Carlton or Collingwood.

The Bulldogs season rolls on after a nail-biting one-point victory over Brisbane at the GABBA. They will now take on Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval for a spot on the Grand Final.