Tom Wallis
Collingwood
AFL career
78 games2 goals
- Debut
- R1 1942 v SME9 May 1942
- Most recent
- R18 1947 v RCH23 Aug 1947
Stats
Bio
A professional sprinter recruited from Northcote, Tom Wallis was a dashing half-back flanker whose career was defined by his blistering speed and a famous defensive assignment. His time at Victoria Park involved a rare mid-career departure in 1945 to captain-coach his original VFA club, only for the Magpies to recall him later that season to strengthen their defence for the finals. While he was naturally an attacking player who utilised his athletics background to rebound from the back half, Wallis is best remembered for his disciplined tagging role on Essendon legend Dick Reynolds in the 1946 Second Semi-Final, where he kept the triple Brownlow Medallist goalless. Although he played in the losing 1946 Grand Final and returned to the VFA after the 1947 season, his combination of offensive flair and lockdown capability ensured he remained a vital component of the Collingwood side throughout the war years.
Profile
- Born
- 04 July 1920
- Died
- 26 Nov 2001 (aged 81y 145d)
- Height
- 175 cm
- Weight
- 83 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionA professional sprinter recruited from Northcote, Tom Wallis was a dashing half-back flanker whose career was defined by his blistering speed and a famous defensive assignment. His time at Victoria Park involved a rare mid-career departure in 1945 to captain-coach his original VFA club, only for the Magpies to recall him later that season to strengthen their defence for the finals. While he was naturally an attacking player who utilised his athletics background to rebound from the back half, Wallis is best remembered for his disciplined tagging role on Essendon legend Dick Reynolds in the 1946 Second Semi-Final, where he kept the triple Brownlow Medallist goalless. Although he played in the losing 1946 Grand Final and returned to the VFA after the 1947 season, his combination of offensive flair and lockdown capability ensured he remained a vital component of the Collingwood side throughout the war years.