The Coon Dog
18-06-2008, 09:23 PM
Steve Wallis - 1983-96 - 261 games & 57 goals.
Captain 1989
http://fnwb.com.au/images/fnwb_stevewallis.jpg http://i19.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/f2/d7/e6ed_1.JPG
TCD: Hi Steve, thanks for your time.
SW: You’re welcome.
It’s an absolute honour for me Steve, to talk to you.
Thank you.
Now, where did you grow up?
Leongatha.
Who did you barrack for as a kid?
Richmond, they had just won Premierships in 1973 & 74.
How did you get to Footscray?
I was zoned to the club & in 1980 I came down a few times & played in the reserves under permit.
When did you move to Melbourne?
In 1981, Royce Hart was coach & he pushed really hard to strengthen club from the bottom up & poured resources into bringing quality players into the club & starting them in the under 19’s.
Did you receive a sign on fee?
I could have, but my Father asked the club to send me to a good school in lieu. Grant Oppey who was there at the time made sure I went to Trinity Grammar, which was where I did years 11 & 12.
Honestly, it was the best thing the club could have ever done & I’ll always be grateful that the club looked after me. I could have gone down the sporting route to Chisolm College, but I would never have become an Accountant.
The club looked after me & that means a lot to me.
Where were you living back then?
Maidstone, so it was tram, train, train & tram to get to school each day in Kew, then the same to return home before going footy training.
You broke your leg early on in your career, didn’t you?
Yes, I played 7 games in the reserves in 1982 & my form was good. I was being considered for senior selection & broke my leg at the Lake Oval in South Melbourne. I won the reserves best & fairest that year too.
So, when did you make your debut?
Round 1, 1983 against Geelong at Waverley. I played on Paul Armstrong, who later went on to become our football manager.
Do you remember the 1985 Preliminary Final?
Yes, we really felt we would beat Hawthorn that day, despite the thrashing they gave us a fortnight earlier at the MCG. Unfortunately a whole season’s effort was wiped out in a quarter.
You were relatively young at 24 to be appointed Captain in 1989.
Yes, it was a huge honour to be Captain, no doubt about that.
The following year, you were replaced as Captain by Doug Hawkins. Were you upset at that?
No, Wheels had discussed it with me. He told me what he wanted to do & I agreed with him. Look at the end of the day I wasn’t out there for personal glory, it was what was best for the team.
Did you do the parachute jump?
Yes. It was a fantastic initiative by Terry Wheeler to get the players to do something together, which he was hoping we would do at a later date. It was a fantastic feeling to do it, more importantly, share it with your team mates.
You were renowned for your fair play, but boy did you hit hard! Who were some of your victims?
Adrian Hickmott, Mark Harvey, Paul Couch a couple of times & Brett Heady.
Ah, Brett Heady, nasty after mouth.
Yes, it was the last game of 1994 & I lined him up with a fair hip & shoulder.
There was some history between the two of you, wasn’t there?
Yes, we had been toweled up a few years earlier. Heady had kicked a bag on Matthew Hanneberry & was letting him know all about it. When I went on him late in the game he let me know how many he’d kicked, saying ‘That’s ten!’ I said I’d remember it & he’d better be wary.
When I got him, I remember saying, ‘That’s one!’
Do you remember your last game? It featured heavily in the documentary ‘Year of the Dog’.
Yes, it was the last game in 1996. We had had a poor year with one thing & another. Rick Kennedy spoke before the match. It was an inspirational speech by Rick. Unfortunately we lost on the last kick of the night & Hirdy got the 3 Brownlow votes. Had we won, Chris Grant would probably have won the Brownlow Medal that year.
Were you injured before that game?
Yes, very much so. I played the last 6 games with a broken hand, I could only train 1 handed. I didn’t have it in plaster like Darren Millane, just bandaged it. The pain was unbearable, but I knew I was retiring.
Tell me about the coaches you played under.
• Bluey Hampshire – He was a man’s man! In 1983, Chocco & I were struggling & Bluey could have flogged us on the track. He didn’t, he sent us home for a week & we both came back rejuvenated.
• Mick Malthouse – He was hard on me, but he brought out the best in me. Very strict disciplinarian. You didn’t dare cross him.
• Terry Wheeler – He was a visionary. His coaching methods were more suited to today. Imagine trying to coach 10 years into the future. That’s what Wheel’s did.
• Alan Joyce – Brought a different level of speed & expectation of speed to our game. Had the ball moving like it was at Hawthorn where he came from.
• Terry Wallace – Was tactically very strong on the opposition, not individually, but could pick their game apart. Had us playing the game according to the game plan.
You played with some terrific players as a Bulldog. Who stands out & why?
• Brian Royal – Continually won the football. Had the ability like Lally Bamblett to hit the pack at pace & explode away with the ball.
• Simon Beasley – Very strong & a courageous footballer.
• Brad Hardie – That season in 1985! To win a Brownlow from the back pocket took some doing. He was very fit & had terrific speed & agility.
• Scott West – His ability to read the play & find the ball, for so long is something to be admired. How does he just keep on doing it? When he returns from his knee injury he’ll go out there & find the footy for sure.
What about those you played against?
• Wayne Johnson – He could destroy you in no time!
• Greg Williams – Very hard to play on. Like Westy, could find the ball anywhere.
• Maurice Rioli – Strong body & a beautiful handball.
• Greg Burns – Had forearms as thick as my legs. I was quicker, but he was stronger.
Do you still watch the Bulldogs play?
When I can. I coach St. Bernard’s under 16’s where my son, Mitchell plays.
He goes alright from all reports.
Yeah, he plays with Tony Liberatore’s son, Thomas, but they’re both only 15 years old, kids really. There’s a long time between now & 2010 when they’re eligible to be drafted.
You’d be a proud Dad if he became a Bulldog.
Bloody oath!
Thanks so much for your time Steve, it was an absolute pleasure.
You’re welcome & come & say hello when you see me at the footy.
Captain 1989
http://fnwb.com.au/images/fnwb_stevewallis.jpg http://i19.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/f2/d7/e6ed_1.JPG
TCD: Hi Steve, thanks for your time.
SW: You’re welcome.
It’s an absolute honour for me Steve, to talk to you.
Thank you.
Now, where did you grow up?
Leongatha.
Who did you barrack for as a kid?
Richmond, they had just won Premierships in 1973 & 74.
How did you get to Footscray?
I was zoned to the club & in 1980 I came down a few times & played in the reserves under permit.
When did you move to Melbourne?
In 1981, Royce Hart was coach & he pushed really hard to strengthen club from the bottom up & poured resources into bringing quality players into the club & starting them in the under 19’s.
Did you receive a sign on fee?
I could have, but my Father asked the club to send me to a good school in lieu. Grant Oppey who was there at the time made sure I went to Trinity Grammar, which was where I did years 11 & 12.
Honestly, it was the best thing the club could have ever done & I’ll always be grateful that the club looked after me. I could have gone down the sporting route to Chisolm College, but I would never have become an Accountant.
The club looked after me & that means a lot to me.
Where were you living back then?
Maidstone, so it was tram, train, train & tram to get to school each day in Kew, then the same to return home before going footy training.
You broke your leg early on in your career, didn’t you?
Yes, I played 7 games in the reserves in 1982 & my form was good. I was being considered for senior selection & broke my leg at the Lake Oval in South Melbourne. I won the reserves best & fairest that year too.
So, when did you make your debut?
Round 1, 1983 against Geelong at Waverley. I played on Paul Armstrong, who later went on to become our football manager.
Do you remember the 1985 Preliminary Final?
Yes, we really felt we would beat Hawthorn that day, despite the thrashing they gave us a fortnight earlier at the MCG. Unfortunately a whole season’s effort was wiped out in a quarter.
You were relatively young at 24 to be appointed Captain in 1989.
Yes, it was a huge honour to be Captain, no doubt about that.
The following year, you were replaced as Captain by Doug Hawkins. Were you upset at that?
No, Wheels had discussed it with me. He told me what he wanted to do & I agreed with him. Look at the end of the day I wasn’t out there for personal glory, it was what was best for the team.
Did you do the parachute jump?
Yes. It was a fantastic initiative by Terry Wheeler to get the players to do something together, which he was hoping we would do at a later date. It was a fantastic feeling to do it, more importantly, share it with your team mates.
You were renowned for your fair play, but boy did you hit hard! Who were some of your victims?
Adrian Hickmott, Mark Harvey, Paul Couch a couple of times & Brett Heady.
Ah, Brett Heady, nasty after mouth.
Yes, it was the last game of 1994 & I lined him up with a fair hip & shoulder.
There was some history between the two of you, wasn’t there?
Yes, we had been toweled up a few years earlier. Heady had kicked a bag on Matthew Hanneberry & was letting him know all about it. When I went on him late in the game he let me know how many he’d kicked, saying ‘That’s ten!’ I said I’d remember it & he’d better be wary.
When I got him, I remember saying, ‘That’s one!’
Do you remember your last game? It featured heavily in the documentary ‘Year of the Dog’.
Yes, it was the last game in 1996. We had had a poor year with one thing & another. Rick Kennedy spoke before the match. It was an inspirational speech by Rick. Unfortunately we lost on the last kick of the night & Hirdy got the 3 Brownlow votes. Had we won, Chris Grant would probably have won the Brownlow Medal that year.
Were you injured before that game?
Yes, very much so. I played the last 6 games with a broken hand, I could only train 1 handed. I didn’t have it in plaster like Darren Millane, just bandaged it. The pain was unbearable, but I knew I was retiring.
Tell me about the coaches you played under.
• Bluey Hampshire – He was a man’s man! In 1983, Chocco & I were struggling & Bluey could have flogged us on the track. He didn’t, he sent us home for a week & we both came back rejuvenated.
• Mick Malthouse – He was hard on me, but he brought out the best in me. Very strict disciplinarian. You didn’t dare cross him.
• Terry Wheeler – He was a visionary. His coaching methods were more suited to today. Imagine trying to coach 10 years into the future. That’s what Wheel’s did.
• Alan Joyce – Brought a different level of speed & expectation of speed to our game. Had the ball moving like it was at Hawthorn where he came from.
• Terry Wallace – Was tactically very strong on the opposition, not individually, but could pick their game apart. Had us playing the game according to the game plan.
You played with some terrific players as a Bulldog. Who stands out & why?
• Brian Royal – Continually won the football. Had the ability like Lally Bamblett to hit the pack at pace & explode away with the ball.
• Simon Beasley – Very strong & a courageous footballer.
• Brad Hardie – That season in 1985! To win a Brownlow from the back pocket took some doing. He was very fit & had terrific speed & agility.
• Scott West – His ability to read the play & find the ball, for so long is something to be admired. How does he just keep on doing it? When he returns from his knee injury he’ll go out there & find the footy for sure.
What about those you played against?
• Wayne Johnson – He could destroy you in no time!
• Greg Williams – Very hard to play on. Like Westy, could find the ball anywhere.
• Maurice Rioli – Strong body & a beautiful handball.
• Greg Burns – Had forearms as thick as my legs. I was quicker, but he was stronger.
Do you still watch the Bulldogs play?
When I can. I coach St. Bernard’s under 16’s where my son, Mitchell plays.
He goes alright from all reports.
Yeah, he plays with Tony Liberatore’s son, Thomas, but they’re both only 15 years old, kids really. There’s a long time between now & 2010 when they’re eligible to be drafted.
You’d be a proud Dad if he became a Bulldog.
Bloody oath!
Thanks so much for your time Steve, it was an absolute pleasure.
You’re welcome & come & say hello when you see me at the footy.