BomberBlitz.com Exclusive Interview - Dean Wallis

BomberBlitz – What’s your background Wally? How did you get to Essendon from Nhill!
Dean Wallis – chuckles Shit, that’s a good one! How much room have you got there?!
BB – Heaps of room!!!
DW – Well, started playing from about 8 years of age for Nhill. In 1986 Essendon showed a bit of interest. There I was at the end of the year, with two of my mates packing the car to head over to Perth… and I got a phone call from Noel Judkins, who was the recruiter then, telling me that “training starts in two weeks.” The old man said why not have a go, so off I went to Melbourne, thinking I’d give under 19’s a go for a year and see what happened after that. When I got to Melbourne, it turned out I was a week early for under 19’s practice! So Sheeds got me to come down to Cross Keys to have a practice match with the seniors. On I went, had a bit of a go, and got knocked out by Mark Harvey… and I ended up in the seniors that year!

BB – Who had the biggest influence on your career over the years?
DW – Sheeds
BB – Was there anyone from around Nhill that was an influence?
DW – Ronnie Beer and Kevin McCartney were both my junior coaches

BB – What can you remember about your first senior game?
DW – It was against Collingwood, at Waverley… I can remember the umpire holding the ball up, and the roar of the crowd – at first I thought there must have been a streaker! Playing for the twos, you just don’t hear that sound!

BB – How good did it feel when you took the “wind” out of Carlton in the second quarter of the 1993 GF?
DW – I know some people think the hit on Hanna was pre-planned, but it wasn’t. The telling moment was that no-one retaliated – usually when a team mate goes down, you get the other players coming over, but there was just nothing! Then I kicked a goal, and there was still no retaliation!

BB – What did you say to Lance Whitnall before the opening bounce in his first game whilst you were roughing him up?
DW – starts chuckling ummmm laughs even more I said… Good luck son!! laughs again But seriously.. regardless of whether your opponent is Wayne Carey or a first gamer, you still treat them with the same respect.

BB – During 2000, early on in games you would often give away a couple of enforcer type free kicks that most people would consider stupid. Was this a pre-determined tactic to keep the opposition looking over their shoulder, or did it just happen that way? Most fans in the outer used to be spewing about them, but others used to sit there thinking “good old Wally, he’s scaring the bejesus out of them already”!
DW – It was just one of those things… my philosophy was that as soon as you step over the line, it’s war, and you go in at the start of the game, with the emotion and the adrenaline… there was nothing pre-planned though.

BB – During your career, who did you enjoy being aggressive to the most?
DW – Any player that got sucked in easily!

BB – Did you enjoy playing the role you had in the team?
DW – chuckles Well I was no James Hird so I had to do something!!

BB – Does it upset you that so many people regard you as a hitman? Would you like a little more respect for your football skills, the strong pack marks, the defensive punch from behind, your tenacity and desperation?
DW – You learn to listen to the people who mean the most to you, and respect them for what they say… there’s always the things the media and the opposition are going to say… I often used to play tricks and mind games.. people thought I wasn’t focussed on what I was doing but I knew exactly what I was doing!

BB -What did Brereton do/say to you when he ran through the 3/4 time huddle that day out at Waverley?
DW – He didn’t really say anything, just ran through and got to the other side.. and there was this 17 year old with fists up ready to go! Wish we had known that’s what he was going to do… we wouldn’t have let him get out! Would have got him in the middle and kicked the shit out of him!!!

BB – Who is the best player you played with?
DW – Longy

BB – Who was your hardest opponent, and why?
DW – They’re all hard – every one of them. T Lockett would be the most respected. Why? He’s got the runs on the board – record goal kicker.

BB – Did you ever fear that the injuries would win and kill your career?
DW – nods In the early days, yes. I remember in 92, when I’d been struggling with injury yet again, and I said to Sheeds that I wanted a meeting with him after training. He said to meet him at a café just down the road from Windy Hill. Got there, and he said “well, grab us a couple of coffees!” So I got the coffees, and sat down across the table from him. He said “so, what’s on your mind?” I said “I’ve had enough Sheeds, I’m too sore, reckon I’m going to retire”. Sheeds looks at me, and says “There are kids with cancer out there” and a few other examples of people going through hardship “and you’ve got a sore f***ing leg and you want to retire? You weak f***ing dog!” And with that, he stands and grabs the table and throws it over, leaving me sitting there covered in coffee! Well, that certainly put things in perspective for me. The next day, I was the first to arrive at training, the last to leave from training, and I reckon it stayed that way for years after! Sometimes it wasn’t just the injuries I had to battle – there were times the supporters were wanting me out, the board wanting me out… I signed one year contracts for eight years in a row! But sometimes that’s what you’ve got to do. Some players, until they fully understand WHY they’re out there playing, will always struggle. I had my share of demons that I had to keep pushing aside and battling; but if players can keep perspective and eventually reach that defining moment when they do know, it can really change their game. For me, when the twins were born – that was my defining moment.

BB – Do you think 2000 was your best year? Was the last game in 1997 (Harvey’s farewell) the best game you played? What are some of the other performances you’re most proud of?
DW – I think 99 was probably a better year for me. Harvs last game… would be up there, as one of the best games. I was on day 17 of a hammy strain, and I’d gone to the physio and said “let me play!” and the physio had turned me down, and I’d gone to the doc and said “let me play!” and he’d turned me down, so I’d gone to Sheeds and said that it was Harvey’s last game, it could be my last game, and it was a milestone for him as well, and in the end he put me in!There was another game that also comes to mind – when Floody and I played on Lockett and kept him goalless. I was crook with the flu. I spoke with the doctor that morning and wanted to pull out, but he said, look mate, it’s your 50th game, just run out through the banner, and see how you go. So I head to the ground, get into the rooms.. and up on the board is this line – “Nhill Boys – Nil Goals”. That was Sheeds plan, for Floody and I, on Lockett. So out I run, and am playing on Lockett… up comes Lockett’s elbow, and out go the lights. Somehow I got back on my feet, and with this steaming fever and concussion, managed to play 120 minutes and get 3 Brownlow votes! It’s a cliché, but it’s true – you have to perform your best when you’re feeling your worst!

BB – In hindsight, do you think you played one season too many, and probably should have gone out on top at the end of 2000?
DW – No… because I learnt a lot about footy in 2001, sitting in the coaches box… obviously it would have been good, retiring after the grand final win, going out on a high… but then I would have missed out on all of that learning in 2001.

BB – Had you achieved everything you hoped to do when you retired?
DW – I didn’t win a Brownlow!! chuckles But when I finished I wanted to have earnt respect from my peers, and I think I finished with that.

BB – Do you remember Wally Web? Do you also remember meeting the nerds that created it?
DW – laughs yes!
BB – well, BomberBlitz is run by two guys, and one of them, Drew, started Wally Web!!
DW – Really? Hehehe yeah I remember that.. he was only young, late teens?
BB – Yep, that would be right!

BB – Why did you do that Yoko Ono shoot with your missus in 2001?
DW – I wanted to say thank you for all the support and help she gave me over the years.

BB – How much did it hurt, un-dislocating your finger in the 2000 GF?
DW – It didn’t really hurt – in that situation, with the adrenaline going and the blood pumping, you don’t feel anything.

BB – What’s been the most significant change in football since you started?
DW – It has become a game of keep things off.

BB – Tell us how the current group ranks versus the players we had in 98-99 that set the stage for 2000? Do you expect a big turnover of this list at the end of this year?
DW – The current young players we have are capable of being long term players. There might be a few changes at the end of the year… depends on some individual performances…
BB – I guess the club always has to be on the lookout for how players are progressing… and if you’ve got some of the third or fourth year players that are being surpassed by some of the first and second years…
DW – That’s right.

BB – How does Fletch compare with other fullbacks you have seen? Who on our current list is our #2 full-back?
DW – Fletch is a champion person and player, and it’s been a privilege to play and work with him. Second full back – I’d say Zantuck. He’s played 70 odd games, and probably 50 of those in that position at Richmond. Full back is a mature age position – Fletch was an exception, being a settled full back as young as he was – but most full backs are older, and Zantuck’s only 23, with good experience already.

BB – Is there any player on our list that reminds you of yourself during your playing days?? Who, in your opinion, is the hardest player at the club?
DW – laughs I hope there isn’t anyone like me! No-one could be that unfortunate!! Hardest player at the club – Hird.

BB – Is there still room in today’s football for controlled physical aggression?
DW – With the umpires interpretations and the AFL influence, they seem to be more concentrated on a cleaner game.

BB – Are there any current day players you would like to take out?!
DW – chuckles Plenty!!

BB – You’ve seen St Kilda’s list up close…. Which player(s) there are under-rated?
DW – The ones that are rated fully deserve their rating… under rated I’d say would be Max, Baker and Kosi

BB – Who would you try and bring to Essendon?
DW – Bar the obvious – those three I’ve just mentioned

BB – Does Grant Thomas have what it takes to get them to a flag?
DW – Yes, he does. He’s a great manager of people, and gives 100% commitment to his work.

BB – As part of the coaching staff, how influential are you in the coach’s box on game day? Do you have any aspirations to be a senior coach?
DW – Well, there’s Gary, there’s Harvs, there’s Shawy… we all have input and we all have our debates. We throw suggestions and solutions, but the bottom line is that Sheeds makes the decisions.
BB – Speaking of Sheeds, what do you think about the coaching from the sidelines idea?
DW – I think it’s great, and it seems to be working well. I was writing my own football philosophy back in 1997, and in that I commented that we’re the only sport that coaches 200 metres from the action!
BB – And what about coaching in the future for you?
DW – Don’t know! All depends on opportunity, the right place, the right time… so much of coaching comes down to having the right people, the right support around you.

BB – Courtney Johns is wearing your old number and he has been down and out with injuries. Do you spend much time with him and mentor him, seeing as you also spent a great deal of your career sidelined with injuries but never gave up? Do you also think if he comes right and gets into the big time he could be the player that we was touted as at East Freo?
DW – No doubt. He is one of the most switched on young people I know… he’s got the dedication and the desire. There’s no way he’ll throw in the towel. Sometimes people just need a bit of luck… Courtney is only 20, he could still play 200 games for Essendon.

BB – Could Aaron Henneman still “pull a Wallis”, so to speak, in your opinion? What advice would/do you give him in regard to achieving that?
DW – Most supporters only see the players for two hours a week, and have no concept of just how much hard work goes on behind the scene. Aaron’s had some pretty full on personal issues which a lot of people know nothing about, which have hampered his footy, not to mention his injuries. Similar to Courtney, he need luck to go his way. He’s a big strong guy, and they don’t grow on trees.

DW – Can you tell us about Jay Nash, is he close to getting a game? What could he bring to the side?
BB – He got injured against the Bullants, but nothing major. He’s a player that hasn’t had the opportunity yet – needs to play good consistent games in the VFL without injury.

BB – If Lloyd didn’t captain EFC next who would you like to see do it?
DW – Lloyd will be a fantastic captain. The Johnos or Solly.

BB – What’s your favourite film? Actor?
DW – Do you know how many movies I’ve seen in the few years? Give you an idea.. the last movie I went to see was Green Mile… when did that come out? Four years ago or something? And before that, it was JFK! I just don’t watch movies!
BB – No DVD’s at home either?
DW – On the weekend just gone, I watched 6 games of footy, which included our game live, our game in replay, and the Bendigo game; one game of basketball and one game of netball. I watch 60 Minutes on a Sunday, Getaway on a Thursday night, and the news. That’s it!!

BB – How much do you pay for a haircut?
DW – chuckles Nothing, I do it myself!!

BB – Favourite singer or group?
DW – Meatloaf and Neil Diamond

BB – What was the first album you bought?
DW – Never bought one!

BB – And the first concert you went to?
DW – It was Pseudo Echo at the Venue when I was 15
BB – Legend!! Pseudo Echo are awesome!!

BB – What would be the Dean Wallis theme song?
DW – What’s that song.. “I get knocked down, but I get up again..”
BB – Tubthumping, by Chumbawamba! that is a very good song for you!!!

BB – If you could hold a Guinness World Record, what would it be for? Apart from “man who has watched the least movies in the last ten years”!!
DW – laughing that one! I like that one, that’s what I’d have!!!

BB – Are you a cinnamon, iced or jam centred type donut man?
DW – Cinnamon

BB – Favourite cartoon character?
DW – Ummm…. I don’t know! Don’t watch much tv! And if someone puts the Simpsons on, I have to leave the house! But a cartoon character… what about Shrek! He’s a cartoon character isn’t he?
BB – yep, he’s animated, he counts!!

BB – Three words to describe yourself?
DW – Loyal… hard-working.. and fun!

BB – What is your favourite colour M&M?
DW – Blue

BB – What was the last book you read?
DW – I don’t read much! Last book… it would have been “AFL – rules and laws of the game!”

BB – Do you think milk should be added to coffee prior to boiling water or after?
DW – Milk first – it’s the first thing you put in the cup. Then you add the sugar, then the coffee, then the hot water!

BB – Shorts or pants man?
DW – Pants

BB – Shoes or thongs?
DW – depends on the weather!

Word associations!

BB – James Hird
DW – Superstar

BB – Nhill
DW – long way away!

BB – Coaching
DW – Passion

BB – Peter Somerville
DW – grins Cocknut!
BB – laughing cocknut??
DW – Yep, c-o-c-k-n-u-t. Cocknut!

BB – okay!! Tokyo
DW – Large

BB – Mike Tyson
DW – Idol

BB – Grand Finals
DW – Hard work

BB – Wallis Twins
DW – Best inventions ever

BB – Paul Barnard
DW – Boof head!

BB – The Phantom
DW – Mark Harvey!

BB – Pamela Anderson
DW – Big tits!

BB – Dick Reynolds
DW – Legend

BB – Suspensions
DW – Too many!

BB – Gary O’Donnell
DW – Old woman!

BB – Achilles tendons
DW – Sore!

BB – Michael Long
DW – Absolute legend

BB – Challenge
DW – Every day

BB – Supporters
DW – The game

BB – Kevin Sheedy
DW – Passionate

Posted 13 July 05 in News