Essendon father-son prospect Tom Wallis completes impressive second half of season for Calder Cannons in TAC Cup

CALDER Cannons talent manager Ian Kyte says he expects Tom Wallis to make his way to Essendon “one way or another” after the midfielder produced another stellar performance in the TAC Cup.

The Calder Cannons will be wearing orange laces for their game on June 13 to support Step Back Think's Lace Up campaign, which raises awareness of and aims to prevent social violence. Players Tom Wallis, Jaron Murphy, Matthew Stillman, Shaun Stewart.

CALDER Cannons talent manager Ian Kyte says he expects Tom Wallis to make his way to Essendon “one way or another” after the midfielder produced another stellar performance in the TAC Cup on Sunday.

The son of two-time Essendon premiership player Dean, Wallis was named the Cannons’ best in their 17.8 (110) to 11.10 (76) loss against Eastern Ranges in Sunday’s elimination final at Princes Park.

A potential father-son ­selection, the 18-year-old has played two VFL matches for the Bombers during an impressive second half of the season.

“Probably the last 10 weeks including the couple of weeks he had at Essendon where he played VFL, he’s been really good,” Kyte said.

“He’s turned his game around to now be a hard in-and-under midfielder and he’s learnt to spread from stoppages as well.

“It’s now up to Essendon to make a decision. One way or another, he’ll be there I think, whether it’s on the VFL list, rookie or they’ll draft him.

“I’d assume they’ll look to get him as cheaply as they can, which might be a rookie. But he’s really earnt his spot now.”

While the Cannons did not get the result they were after on the weekend, some other potential draftees’ stocks also soared.

Joshua Flower, Callum Moore and Ben Allan all joined Wallis in the side’s best players.

The Cannons paid the price for a slow start, the Ranges kicking six of the first eight goals of the game.

By three-quarter time, the margin had ballooned to 64 points before the Cannons rallied late.

“Going into the game, I would have said Eastern at their best were probably a better side than us at our best,” Kyte said. “So it was a credit to the boys they hung in there in the last quarter and got within 28 points at one stage after kicking six goals in 15 minutes.

“I think the majority of boys that were in line for draft and rookie spots have really pushed themselves up over the last six or so weeks, so the outlook for that side of things is pretty good.”

Originally published as Essendon father-son prospect Tom Wallis completes impressive second half of season for Calder Cannons in TAC Cup