Match reports from the Herald-Sun and Age...Father-son AFL draft prospect Mitch Wallis powered his way to 47 possessions to guide Calder Cannons to a 58-point win in today's TAC Cup grand final against Gippsland Power.
The Martin Allison-coached Cannons claimed their sixth premiership in 10 years in the under-18 competition with a 17.14 (116) to 8.10 (58) victory at Etihad Stadium.
Leading by 27 points at half-time, the defending premiers piled on seven goals to Gippsland's two in the third quarter to lead by 10 goals at three-quarter time, with Wallis gathering 14 disposals for the term to decide the contest.
Both teams scored a goal each in the final term.
Blond, curly-haired Wallis is the son of former Western Bulldogs skipper Steve.
The 17-year-old is tipped to be taken by the Bulldogs in October along with Calder team-mate Tom Liberatore, son of Tony.
Calder's dominant performance included five goals from 196cm forward Luke Mitchell.
Gippsland captain Dyson Heppell, the Morrish Medallist and a possible No.1 draft pick, had 20 touches but was held goal-less while Tim Northe and Michael Ross were among their team's leading possession-getters.
Forward Jed Lamb, a first-round draft prospect, kicked two goals for the Power as did Shaun Marusic.
Mitchell's three early goals helped put Calder 19 points ahead at quarter-time.
Gippsland narrowed the gap to a goal when Lamb goaled in the 16th minute of the second term.
But two late goals put Calder 27 points clear at halftime with Cannons pair Wallis and Dion Prestia (36 disposals) dominant.
Tall forwards Alistair Kefford (three goals) and Mitchell added two goals each in Calder's seven-goal blitz in the third quarter.
Liberatore played a key role in Calder's midfield supremacy, with 28 disposals.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/wallis-dominates-tac-cup-grand-final/story-e6frf9jf-1225926294148CALDER Cannons captain Mitch Wallis has guided his team to its sixth flag in the past decade, as it blitzed Gippsland Power by 58 points in the TAC Cup grand final at Etihad Stadium yesterday.
Wallis, who appears certain to be taken by the Western Bulldogs under the father-son rule with a second-round pick in this year's draft, racked up 47 disposals and was the most damaging player on the ground in the 17.14 (116) to 8.10 (58) win.
Wallis had 37 disposals up until three-quarter-time and fought to the end. It was not only his centre clearance work that was outstanding but also his selflessness to spot players in better positions, work with class from half-back to half-forward and set up his teammates when they were under pressure in the first half.
Wallis, the son of former Bulldog Steve Wallis, wasn't alone in his quest to make it to the AFL ranks.
Tom Liberatore, son of another Bulldogs gun, Tony Liberatore, was just as damaging on the run with 28 disposals.
"He [Liberatore] is so explosive so he's the type of player that I love to handball to," Wallis said. "We've been best mates all of our lives. We've been to primary school together and high school together and played all of our footy together.
"I've barracked for the Bulldogs all my life. The thought of going there really makes you smile.
"It would put a massive smile on my face if we were to both end up at the Bulldogs next year."
Cannons coach Martin Allison compared Wallis and Liberatore's season to that of Melbourne's No. 1 draft pick of last year, Tom Scully.
"Like Tom Scully last year, they've had all of the attention and all those boys want to do is just play footy and they have just kept their feet firmly on the ground. I'd be astonished if the Bulldogs wouldn't take them," Allison said.
Luke Mitchell, who spent 18 weeks on the sidelines because of a shoulder injury received in the pre-season, kicked two goals in two minutes and finished with five for the match.
Dion Prestia, who notched 36 disposals, was a work-horse and continued his fine season, while excitement machine David Meli was on song with a brilliant goal from the boundary as the Cannons more than sealed the match to take a 10-goal lead into the final change.
Meli, from Papua New Guinea, was signed last year by Essendon as its second international rookie.
With all the ball in the hands of the dominant Cannons midfield, highly rated Power midfielder Dyson Heppell struggled to rack up his usual big numbers, as Cameron Guthrie shut down the Morrish medallist.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/wallis-good-news-for-cannons--and-dogs-20100919-15hxf.html
