Fremantle’s list manager David Walls has reportedly rejected an offer to join AFL rivals Carlton, after coach Justin Longmuir said he wouldn’t entertain any potential interest to join the Blues. Leading reporter Cal Twomey revealed on Channel 9 on Tuesday night that Carlton had sounded out Walls in recent weeks, but he’s flatly rejected them.
Walls’ late father Robert was a Carlton legend and played 218 games for the club, before coaching them for 84 more. But David won’t be entertaining a nostalgic move to the Blues anytime soon.
Carlton need to fill a number of off-field positions. Image: Getty
“We know the Blues are looking for a list manager,” Twomey said on ‘Footy Classified’. “David Walls, who has been the architect of the Fremantle list build, has been a target of the Blues. He’s a flat ‘no’. He’s staying at the Dockers and wants to see it through. He’s not going to be budging off that.”
Justin Longmuir rules out potential Carlton move
Walls’ rejection comes after Longmuir also said he wouldn’t be tempted by any potential interest from Carlton. Immediately after Michael Voss left as head coach, Kane Cornes said the Blues should throw $6 million at Longmuir.
But Longmuir later ruled it out completely. When asked if he’d even entertain a phone call from Carlton, the Dockers coach replied: “No, I wouldn’t. I’m very comfortable coaching Freo, I’m very comfortable with the contract I’ve got at the moment.
“I understand the noise around it and what it looks like externally without diving into the facts. But just like all contracts aren’t the same, all employment agreements aren’t the same. I’m very confident and comfortable with the level of security it gives me and my family. I’m very comfortable with where it sits with the club. We all are, so it’s a non-story from my point of view.”
David Walls (L) and Justin Longmuir (R) have both rejected potential interest from Carlton. Image: Getty
Cornes thought Longmuir might be tempted by something more concrete than what he’s on at Freo. The Dockers moved last year to change Lomgmuir from a fixed term contract to an ‘employment agreement’. Longmuir said he actually prefers his current situation because it means there’s “no end date”.