Brad Johnson has encouraged fringe Western Bulldogs forward Mitch Wallis to explore his options if he wants to play regular senior football.
Wallis comes out of contract at season’s end and has managed just two AFL appearances in 2021 with the 9-2 Bulldogs sitting second on the ladder.
He topped the club’s goalkicking with 25 majors in 2020 and was elevated to vice-captain prior to the start of the season.
But after two goalless outings to start the year, Wallis found himself out of the side and hasn’t appeared at AFL level since.
“Mitch has fought through scenarios like this in the past, but I think where we’re at at the moment is there seems like there’s five or six players that are in front of Mitch in terms of selection week in, week out,” Bulldogs great Johnson told Fox Footy.
“Some are younger and developing in the game. They’ve brought Mitch Hannan in who seems to be playing in front of Mitch Wallis at the moment as well.
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“On the back of all that, if he wants to play consistent senior football, I’m not sure whether that’s going to be at the Western Bulldogs in the future.
“(It would be a) really tough decision … but he’s just not in the selection mind at the moment of Luke Beveridge with others around.
“For me, it might be time to play senior football elsewhere.”
Wallis is currently an unrestricted free agent with Dogs CEO Ameet Bains admitting a lack of senior opportunities has frustrated the 28-year-old.