Bombers, Suns urged to pursue Bulldogs vice-captain Mitch Wallis

“There are a number of teams out there who would be playing him week-in, week out as an inside mid.”

SUBSCRIBER | April 21, 2021 - 4:48pm

Mitch Wallis has been urged to consider his future, as the Western Bulldogs vice-captain continues to play VFL football.

Wallis was dropped earlier this season and has failed to regain a place in the Bulldogs best 22, with Luke Beveridge's side continuing to dominant atop the ladder.

The Bulldogs are now 5-0 and it isn't looking certain Wallis will return to the fold anytime soon.

Speaking on SEN Breakfast, Garry Lyon and Tim Watson believe Wallis should be playing AFL football.

“(He's) too good a player to be running around in the VFL," said Lyon.

Watson said that Wallis may be better served heading elsewhere at season's end given he still has plenty of good football in him.

“He was taken out of the position that best suits him," Watson said.

"Because of a need, they pushed him forward and they said, ‘We want you to play this role’, which was pretty much a mid-sized forward that was going to apply pressure which he was great at. But he then did more than that, he drew the ball and kicked goals.

Would someone like Mitch Wallis benefit from a mid-season trade period situation? pic.twitter.com/AlvRK4cfmH

— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) April 21, 2021

“But his best position is as an inside mid. They don’t need him as an inside mid. They’ve got so much talent there.

“He hasn’t got great leg speed but there are a number of teams out there who would be playing him week-in, week out as an inside mid.”

Watson said that Essendon would be a good landing spot for Wallis, should he wish to return to a midfield role.

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“Essendon … They would love to have a player like him, I would think.”

The Bombers recently made a play for Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley and will likely be on the lookout for that inside bull at the end of the season.

The Bulldogs fully expect the Bombers to make another play at Dunkley in the trade period.

Speaking on the Fox Footy Podcast, senior reporter Tom Morris said that Wallis would have plenty of suitors on the open market.

“He’s a very strong character – that’s why he’s vice-captain," Morris 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)

“His football’s good – very good last year – but over the course of his career, his character is what’s impressed people the most and the football’s been reasonable alongside of that.

“We always bring up Gold Coast, but a club like the Gold Coast Suns could really use a Mitch Wallis if he doesn’t get back in the team this year. I think he’d have currency elsewhere for sure as an unrestricted free agent.”

Morris did point out that Wallis was unlikely to want to leave the club he has loved since he was a child and has previously turned down bigger money offers from Brisbane and Essendon.

“He’s very loyal there,” Morris said. “If the Dogs offer him a one-year deal and another club offers him a three-year deal, that’ll be tested again.”