2016 Essendon rookie Tom Wallis will play for the Lions in season 2017.
The 2015 Calder Cannons Best & Fairest runner-up managed 15 matches for the VFL Bombers in 2016, including both finals, however no AFL matches in one season at the TVSC. Tom was selected by the Bombers as a father-son selection in the 2016 rookie draft (pick 54), as father Dean had managed 127 games for Essendon from 1987-2001- which included 2 premierships.
Possessing a lethal kick and outstanding pace, Wallis’ improved form and consistency in the second half of 2015 for Calder saw him rewarded with 2 VFL games as a 23rd with Essendon, and eventually would finish runner up in the Best and Fairest as a result.
Wallis will join a number of former Cannons teammates whom he played alongside across both 2014 and 2015 seasons, and will add vital midfield depth-given his capabilities of playing as an inside and outside midfielder. He also joins James el-Moussalli, whom was a teammate of his at VFL level in 2016.
With just a season in the AFL system, Wallis is more than determined to make it back onto the radar of AFL clubs, and is looking forward to learning and further developing under Peter German- who coached alongside his father a decade ago at Fremantle.
“I’m just looking forward to playing with a new bunch of boys, obviously I’ve known Germo for a long time being in Perth with my old man, it’s just about getting to know a few new faces and getting an opportunity with a fairly new list as well,” said Wallis.
List & Recruiting Manager Sebastian Spagnuolo was delighted to have secured the services of another former Calder Cannon, who was keen to have secured his services following the drafts.
“Like our other ex-AFL recruits, Tom has some unfinished business at that level. Tom is determined to get his body right and overcome the issues that dogged him while he was at Essendon.”
“We believe in our environment to get the best out of him and we’re excited by the prospect of working with him on his career aspirations,” said Spagnuolo.
This brings us one step closer to finalizing our 2016 list, and once finalized, we hope to have it announced as soon as possible.