On 19/05/2022 at 23:04, layzie said:

Awful news. One of the true excitement machines of the AFL when he's up and running, wish him all the best. 

100%.  A huge loss to the game.

I wonder what the real story is….

Bugger.. 

He was fun to watch. Really hope he's not lost to the game and we see him in some working capacity mentoring young indigenous footballers if that's the path he wants to choose.

Terribly sad news. He was a highlight machine and one of the few Essendon players I genuinely loved to watch.

 

Wish him all the very best in the future.

  On 19/05/2022 at 23:39, Sir Why You Little said:

I wonder what the real story is….

Are you thinking there might be a bigger story? If I were an Essendon supporter, I'd want to know why McKenna, Daniher, Saad, Fantasia and now Walla all wanted to leave in a relatively short period of time. Each may have had a personal reason for leaving, but losing 5 players like that in a short period of time might also hint at a bigger problem. 

I hope Walla lands in a happy place for the rest of his life.

 

  On 19/05/2022 at 23:39, Sir Why You Little said:

I wonder what the real story is….

My first thought was so that Ess leaned on him to get a MSD pick but this from the AFL article dispels that:  "The timing of the decision wasn’t related to the Bombers opening up a mid-season draft pick, with Nik Cox’s foot injury already set to allow that to happen".  (Altho the latest AFL injury report has Cox listed as TBC rather than season ending).

He has been a shining light for the game and how it should be played and a great ambassador for his culture and hopefully for the AFL at some stage.

Edited May 20, 20222 yr by Lucifers Hero

  On 19/05/2022 at 23:52, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Are you thinking there might be a bigger story? If I were an Essendon supporter, I'd want to know why McKenna, Daniher, Saad, Fantasia and now Walla all wanted to leave in a relatively short period of time. Each may have had a personal reason for leaving, but losing 5 players like that in a short period of time might also hint at a bigger problem. 

I hope Walla lands in a happy place for the rest of his life.

Yes there is a bigger story. He was playing VFL, but has stepped away. 
So it wasn’t injury…

I hope he is ok going forward 

One of my favourite non Melbourne players, was never afraid to take the game on and entertain. If he didnt play for Essendon I would like him more.

  On 20/05/2022 at 00:12, Lucifers Hero said:

My first thought was so that Ess leaned on him to get a MSD pick but this from the AFL article dispels that:  "The timing of the decision wasn’t related to the Bombers opening up a mid-season draft pick, with Nik Cox’s foot injury already set to allow that to happen".  (Altho the latest AFL injury report has Cox listed as TBC rather than season ending).

He has been a shining light for the game and how it should be played and a great ambassador for his culture and hopefully for the AFL at some stage.

What about the reverse? Could he now be picked by another team in the MSD? 

Shame. Number of things more important than footy tho.

Loved watching him play.

Culture is everything. Good cultures can help those players going through tough times - think Dusty @ Tigers as a recent example. 

It is not really surprising to see Walla depart the sinking ship of the Bombers. Some might see this as a sign of weakness, but if he is going through some tough times, then this is the last place he needs to be. 

Hopefully he finds some balance and happiness outside of footy. 

It's a big loss to the game.
I liked watching him play, which is unprecedented for and Essendon player.

The type of person able to endure the demands of professional football is becoming more and more homogenised.
Hope he enjoys the next stage of his life!

 

  On 19/05/2022 at 23:52, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Are you thinking there might be a bigger story? If I were an Essendon supporter, I'd want to know why McKenna, Daniher, Saad, Fantasia and now Walla all wanted to leave in a relatively short period of time. Each may have had a personal reason for leaving, but losing 5 players like that in a short period of time might also hint at a bigger problem. 

I hope Walla lands in a happy place for the rest of his life.

Irving Mosquito was another.

  On 19/05/2022 at 23:52, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Are you thinking there might be a bigger story? If I were an Essendon supporter, I'd want to know why McKenna, Daniher, Saad, Fantasia and now Walla all wanted to leave in a relatively short period of time. Each may have had a personal reason for leaving, but losing 5 players like that in a short period of time might also hint at a bigger problem. 

I hope Walla lands in a happy place for the rest of his life.

Because they have shown they care more about winning than player welfare.  You can add Ryder in there as well.

They put aside the health of players to try to get an edge. This might have been forgivable one day, however they have never taken accountability or shown remorse so nothing has changed

The club has shown now faith or care for  the players and now want the players to put their body on the line for the club?

A super talent.

Hopefully not permanently lost to the game.

I enjoyed watching him from day one.  Hope he manages to sort things out and maybe make a return at some point.  Maybe for us!!

  On 19/05/2022 at 23:52, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

personal reason for leaving

I'm quite happy for players privacy to be respected.

If they wanted everyone to known the details, I'm sure they would have put it out there and perhaps in the fullness of time, he will.  Unless Tippa does choose to tell his story, then I don't think it's right to be speculating.

Edited May 20, 20222 yr by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

Universally admired I'd say, and the game will be poorer without him in it. The news highlights on gameday will be a couple of minutes shorter no doubt.

Talented player who was very entertaining to watch. Hope he is alright and enjoys the next stage of his life.

All the best Tippa.  One hell of a player, if only you'd been a Demon.

Not many players get a song this cool made about them.

  On 20/05/2022 at 05:15, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

All the best Tippa.  One hell of a player, if only you'd been a Demon.

Not many players get a song this cool made about them.

As a matter of interest, which other players have had songs written about them? (Excluding Greg Champion/Coodabeen Champions songs). 

Good luck Tippa your best was exquisite you demanded our attention and affection even though you played for our most hated team.!!

  On 20/05/2022 at 05:18, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

As a matter of interest, which other players have had songs written about them? (Excluding Greg Champion/Coodabeen Champions songs). 

 

  On 20/05/2022 at 05:18, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

As a matter of interest, which other players have had songs written about them? (Excluding Greg Champion/Coodabeen Champions songs). 

Picket Palace have one on Richo.  They also have one on Aaron Hamill, but it seems to be more of an instrumental track, so I'm not sure that counts.

Of course there was also Mark Jackson's "I'm an Individual", but that was written and sung by himself, so I'm not sure that counts either.

Glad to see Tipungwuti is comming out of retirement to play for Essendon again.

It's a win - win I recon.

Footy lovers get to see a freakish talent in action again and at the same time, he'll probably help get Essendon's competitiveness up there for a few years to help them avoid getting better draft picks.