Is there room for a "slow" wallis?

[theAthenian]

After the game looking at the midfield options which we are developing it seems to me that today Wallis may have been a hiderance rather than an asset. He seems to have hit a wall lately running up and down on the same spot. He is 3 preseasons in.

My concern is - Is there some other role he can play rather than be a out and out inside mid with glacial speed?

 

[Morris Major]

not sure if serious

 

[Dav1d]

I think Wallis will be more important once Cross & Boyd retire with his leadership and ferocious attack of the ball; has just hit bit of a form slump and frankly, needs to get more games to build his experience

 

[fronkalicious]

I think he'll come in this week to help handle the conditions in Darwin.

 

[stefoid]

Just comes down to how good he is with the ball in hand. Any player that can get the ball and use it well 25 times a game is a good player, regardless of size or speed.

 

[koby01]

Just comes down to how good he is with the ball in hand. Any player that can get the ball and use it well 25 times a game is a good player, regardless of size or speed.

Exactly!!

 

[Mofra]

Would there be room for a slow Sam Mitchell? I see Wallis developing into that type of player.

 

[fronkalicious]

Would there be room for a slow Sam Mitchell? I see Wallis developing into that type of player.

Doesn't have Mitchell's vision im afraid. I see him as a genuine worker. A cog in an 8/10 man midfield rotation. An Andrew swallow or Scott selwood is what he needs to shoot for

 

[Super Hans]

When Boyd/Cross are gone Mitch will be one of our most important players.

Unlike you to pull a negative from a positive.

 

[The Original Swooper]

Speed is an overrated skill. Sure, it's great rebounding, on a lead, etc etc. But if you get the ball first, the pro-activity of the play makes you look faster. Wallis IS best 22. Plain & simple. Speed is only an asset when you can utilise it. Kicking efficiency needs to be spot on if you are a speed reliant team. Remember the Wallace days, when the football world was agog with our "style". We weren't blistering pace then, we just looked quicker due to very skilled ball movement. A side full of Jettas will look slow if they can't get the ball.

 

[stefoid]

Yep, there is a long list of very good players who arent fast, but think quick and make good decisions.

Not sure if Wally Jnr is one of those players yet.

 

[maddog37]

Brad Sewell type. A rung below elite but very important to the team.

 

[Mutt]

Brad Sewell type. A rung below elite but very important to the team.

Pretty fair comparison I'd say.

 

[Ridley This]

Remember the Wallace days, when the football world was agog with our "style". We weren't blistering pace then, we just looked quicker due to very skilled ball movement.

The word "agog" doesn't get used enough these days.

 

[Chris Grant]

He should take Boyd's role once he's retired. Defensively he needs to improve, he's a bit of a headless chook in that regard and his ball use needs to improve. I still think he will be a player decent player, not a star.

 

[maddog37]

I reckon he needs to trim up a little too.

 

[Clay]

I reckon he needs to trim up a little too.

I agree. He looks a touch heavy. Listed at 184/90kg on bulldogs website.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Absolutely there is.

 

[The Original Swooper]

The word "agog" doesn't get used enough these days.

Maybe it was "a grog"

 

[Zgope1]

I reckon he'll be an improvement on Matty Boyd. His disposal will be better, he's a very good tackler and when he gets his chance he'll show a lot more of his inside skills. He's a better player than what we've seen

 

[doggies ftw]

I agree. He looks a touch heavy. Listed at 184/90kg on bulldogs website.

Hes definitely big bodied which isn't good for the role he is being asked to play now but when he gets to play a true in and under role, which is his true position, his size will be very important!

 

[LondonBulldog]

I believe he is in trouble as he is slower than most on our list.
Speed in more and more important, the game has moved on again. Slow players aren't highlight when they have the ball as much its when they dont have the ball they get exposed. In todays footy if you can't keep up with your opponent your already beaten.
He will get more time once Boyd and Cross are gone yet in my view you can only afford 1 player at Wally pace maybe two at most. He is a goer and will get better yet I feel other will move ahead on him. In my opinion as the game develops you want play AFL unless you can be a certain speed over a certain distance.

 

[theAthenian]

I believe he is in trouble as he is slower than most on our list.
Speed in more and more important, the game has moved on again. Slow players aren't highlight when they have the ball as much its when they dont have the ball they get exposed. In todays footy if you can't keep up with your opponent your already beaten.
He will get more time once Boyd and Cross are gone yet in my view you can only afford 1 player at Wally pace maybe two at most. He is a goer and will get better yet I feel other will move ahead on him. In my opinion as the game develops you want play AFL unless you can be a certain speed over a certain distance.

Exactly what I was trying to imply with the thred - im not saying hes not a good or needed member of the list - im just saying, is his speed going to be his achillies heel like Boyd ? Wouldn't you prefer someone who can do that and cover space quickly when we defend? Because he was dropped not on DT points but on his loose defending and covering of space which if u watch the last month was letting the team structure down.

just a worry

 

[Dry Rot]

I believe he is in trouble as he is slower than most on our list.
Speed in more and more important, the game has moved on again. Slow players aren't highlight when they have the ball as much its when they dont have the ball they get exposed. In todays footy if you can't keep up with your opponent your already beaten.

Agreed. In addition, he is not really good at anything. Won't win a place in the side now ahead of Boyd, Libba, Stevens, Smith and The Rat.

Looks like another wasted first round draft pick.

 

[timtamWB]

This is still only his third year. You'd think he has a spot as an inside midfielder, definitely when Boyd retires, and had a great year last year. Don't write him off yet.