2018 Dogs bolters and sliders

[LostDoggy]

Wallis' strengths are smarts and positioning. He knows how to setup a stoppage, and get on the end of a pass in the forward line. His weaknesses are pace and long kicking. That sounds like a mid/fwd to me, not a defender

A not dissimilar set of weaknesses could have been written about Matty Boyd. Boyd also benefitted greatly from the extra split second half backs often get in their disposal decision making, I can see Wallis benefitting similarly. I don't know if Wallis will end up on a back flank as there a few vying for that position, but I think he'd be best placed there in a Boyd like role (also a bit like hs Dad, Stephen).

[jeemak]

Wallis is pure inside mid who can go forward and score for me.

I'll not make a call on him until he's had an opportunity to recover fully from his injury.

[hujsh]

Was Boyd ever considered slow? Never lightning quick but I feel we're conflating him and Cross a bit.

I'd consider Boyd a step or two quicker than Wallis

[Mofra]

Was Boyd ever considered slow? Never lightning quick but I feel we're conflating him and Cross a bit.

I'd consider Boyd a step or two quicker than Wallis

I never though Boyd was slow - he outran Richmond's entire team to kick a goal back when he was wearing the 42 jumper IIRC

[Webby]

Wallis is pure inside mid who can go forward and score for me.

I'll not make a call on him until he's had an opportunity to recover fully from his injury.

Wallis had a good year for a bloke coming back off a double break in his leg... in fact "double break" doesn't quite do it justice - the thing was snapped in half! Sure, he got back on the park, but he would've hardly had the chance to really work on his speed. He'd have just been happy to have been running at all.

This pre season is a different story. If he's smart (which I think he is), he'd be focusing on his foot speed.

In comparison to Boyd, I think Wallis has one or two extra things going for him. Boyd was actually quite a powerful runner. Not fast, but I also wouldn't consider him slow. The knock on Boyd was his disposal lacking polish (although, with the extra time available in defence, it was quite good.) What Wallis has on Boyd is a bit more polish up forward. He has a natural eye for goal. - which Boyd never really had to any significant measure.

Wallis can make it if he works on a couple of key elements to his game. That clearly takes a solid pre season - which is much more possible sans crutches!

[hujsh]

I never though Boyd was slow - he outran Richmond's entire team to kick a goal back when he was wearing the 42 jumper IIRC

He did with a bit of help from what looks like Farren 'solid' Ray

[ratsmac]

Wallis had a good year for a bloke coming back off a double break in his leg... in fact "double break" doesn't quite do it justice - the thing was snapped in half! Sure, he got back on the park, but he would've hardly had the chance to really work on his speed. He'd have just been happy to have been running at all.

This pre season is a different story. If he's smart (which I think he is), he'd be focusing on his foot speed.

In comparison to Boyd, I think Wallis has one or two extra things going for him. Boyd was actually quite a powerful runner. Not fast, but I also wouldn't consider him slow. The knock on Boyd was his disposal lacking polish (although, with the extra time available in defence, it was quite good.) What Wallis has on Boyd is a bit more polish up forward. He has a natural eye for goal. - which Boyd never really had to any significant measure.

Wallis can make it if he works on a couple of key elements to his game. That clearly takes a solid pre season - which is much more possible sans crutches!

The thing I love about Wal is he'll never die wondering. He will certainly be better with a proper pre season behind him. If Libba can get back to his best, the knock on effect will help a few players especially Wally.

[Eastdog]

Yep. You would have gotten pretty good odds on Matty Boyd being a premiership winning AA half back within two years at the end of 2014.

It was a great turnaround wasn't it. He played a very good last game Matt.