David King has cautioned the Western Bulldogs against relinquishing vice-captain Mitch Wallis without a fight.
Last season Wallis played in every match as a stretch key forward, and booted 25 goals to lead the Dogs’ goalkicking.
However with Aaron Naughton fit and Tim English switching to the forward line, and livewire Cody Weightman cementing a place, the 28-year-old made just six appearances in 2021.
On Wednesday, King said Wallis should explore his options elsewhere, but believes the decision can only come from the player, not the club.
“It’s a tough one,” he followed up on SEN Breakfast on Friday.
“He’s clearly a great leader and a great role model around the club. You don’t want to lose those people.”
He cited the example of James McDonald, who was retired by Melbourne in 2010 having captained the Demons for the three seasons preceding.
McDonald spent a season with Old Xaverians before signing as a playing assistant with Greater Western Sydney, for the Giants’ inaugural season.
Without his leadership, the Dees appointed Brad Green as captain for 2011, followed by 20 and 22-year-olds Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes as co-captains across 2012 and 2013.
Melbourne won just six games across their two seasons, and would soon pursue experienced players to steady the ship, including Bernie Vince, Daniel Cross and Chris Dawes.
“They half-rushed him (McDonald) out of the place, pushed him out ahead of time, and it rocked them for a while,” King recalled.
“Just be careful, here. If Mitch is desperate to leave and get another opportunity, I’m sure they wouldn’t stand in his way.
“But they’re not going to push him out, in any way, shape or form.”
Western Bulldogs chief executive officer Ameet Bains says Wallis is a required player at Whitten Oval, despite having fallen out of favour.
“We hope he does remain,” Bains told SEN Mornings on Thursday.
“The one thing I would say having been away with the team over the year and certainly through the finals series is Mitch was exceptional in terms of his leadership.
“Clearly, he would have been dealing with personal disappointment about not being in the team, but the way he continued to support the players out there and his teammates across that period was outstanding, and a real credit to him.
“We absolutely want him to stay.”
An unrestricted free agent, Wallis has played 157 games for the Bulldogs since he was drafted as a father-son selection with pick 22 in the 2010 national draft.