Wallis left “a little bit bitter” by nature of delisting, will go anywhere to continue AFL dream
Delisted Bulldog Mitch Wallis is keen to continue his AFL career after being left a “little bit bitter” by the club’s decision to move him on.
The Western Bulldogs announced Wallis would not be offered a new contract on Monday morning, farewelling the 29-year-old after 12 seasons and 162 games.
Wallis was the club’s vice-captain in 2021 and was one of the Dogs’ best players through a period that saw the club claim the 2016 premiership, despite the midfielder missing with a broken leg.
But after spending most of the past two seasons out of the best 22, Wallis was disappointed his time at Whitten Oval ended as it has.
“You could call it a surprise. There wasn’t a contract per se on the table but more of a wait-and-see type approach,” he told SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“I’m an optimistic person so I thought it would happen. The club’s had a fair bit of movement this off-season. I was hoping to stay on because I’ve still got a fair bit of fire in the belly, the last few seasons haven’t really played in my favour with injuries and the like.
“It didn’t fall my way but in saying that, I’m obviously very grateful for the time. 12 years is a long time at one club and the game so I can’t be more grateful for the opportunities I was given there.
“But it ends abruptly… you sever ties quite quickly and probably the only regret is I didn’t get to do it in front of my teammates and some of the staff members who have been so important to my journey and invested a lot of time, energy and emotions into me.
“To sort of be on holidays and have to make the call is something that leaves me a little bit bitter but at the end of the day it’s a ruthless industry and I look forward.”
Wallis admitted that one of the great mysteries of his career is why he spent the prime of his footy years out of Luke Beveridge’s 22.
After being elevated to Marcus Bontempelli’s deputy, Wallis played six games in 2021 before five in 2022.
It came after he reinvented himself as a forward in 2020, but has consistently found himself out of the midfield and forward mix.
When asked why he’s been left out of the team in recent years, Wallis replied: “good question.
“It’s one of those things I’ll never fully understand and I’ll grapple with it… as long as I think about footy.
“Obviously would have loved a little bit more opportunity to play and show my worth, but that’s just the way the match committee and Luke went.
“He’s the senior coach, he’s in control and he makes decisions at the end of the day that you have to live with.
“I was never going to fight it, but I just wanted to do everything and train as hard as I could to prove I was worthy of a game.
“I only played a handful of games this year but I felt like I turned it around a little bit before I got injured, unfortunately, but that’s footy.”
Nevertheless, Wallis is keen to continue his AFL career.
He’s completely recovered from foot surgery in June this year and added he was prepared to move anywhere to keep the dream alive.
“It’s still pretty raw, I haven’t totally moved on from the Bulldogs yet... we’ll explore (the interest) over the coming weeks and see what’s out there,” the ex-Bulldog offered.
“I’m keen to keep playing but at the end of the day, we’ll let the dust settle and acknowledge a club that’s been so kind to me and take the next step in due course.
“I love footy… I’m open to all offers and all ideas, but it’s only been a few hours and a few days that I’ve come to terms with not playing in the red, white and blue.”
The Bulldogs also delisted Louis Butler and Charlie Parker later on Monday morning.