Dean Wallis Biography

Kevin Sheedy has pleaded with the AFL industry to welcome Dean Wallis back into its ranks.

Wallis departed Essendon under acrimonious circumstances in 2013 as part of the fall-out from the supplements scandal, and Fairfax Media reported earlier this year that Wallis was seeking WorkSafe compensation from the club and also alleging that a fraud took place involving a healthcare rebate.

There were also suggestions of a blackmail investigation by the police.

"I've told some clubs to go and get him because his preparation is the best I've ever had from any assistant coach," Sheedy said.

"Statistically he presented a case of why I should get certain recruits as an assistant coach, not overriding the recruiting department but assisting the recruiting department in getting players that would've been very good for us to have a chance at a Grand Final.

"His performance in that area was incredible, particularly when he played football like I did which was, we'll just say, reckless. So, for a reckless person, I've never known a more dedicated, professional and prepared person as a full-time assistant coach as he was."

Essendon assistant coach Dean Wallis has been sacked by the club as part of a restructure of the Bombers' football department.

"I won't be re-contracted for the 2014 season and I'm moving onto greener pastures," Wallis said.

"I will probably explore other options outside of football, but I'll never say never. Twenty-seven years in the industry and probably the way it finished is a little bit disappointing, but that's the way the club has chosen to go and I respect that."

Dean Wallis will return to a match day role for Essendon after serving a betting suspension.

"The past ten months has been a difficult period for Dean but he has shown genuine remorse and has adapted and performed well in his current role as Football Administrator," Essendon Football manager Paul Hamilton said in a statement.

"Dean is looking forward to re-joining the team on match day and utilising his vast experience to help the team in its continual pursuit for success."

AFL operations manager Adrian Anderson says Essendon assistant coach Dean Wallis initially lied about placing the bets that have cost him a 14-match suspension.

"On the other hand, this is a very serious matter, firstly because Dean was initially untruthful, secondly because this involves a bet on Dean's own club, thirdly the size of the bets was not unsubstantial, and finally now, more than ever, there is no excuse for an AFL coach to not be aware he must not bet on AFL games, let alone his own team," Anderson said.

"Dean denied placing that first bet on his own behalf and it was only as a result of further investigation by our investigation team that he ultimately admitted placing that first bet on his own behalf and the second bet was uncovered, and he admitted placing the third bet."

The AFL has suspended Essendon assistant coach Dean Wallis for 14 weeks and fined him $7500 for betting on games.

"I would like to apologise to the AFL and the Essendon Football Club for putting them in this position," Wallis said.

"What I did was obviously stupid and thoughtless. The situation was only made worse by not fully cooperating with the AFL investigation. I am deeply remorseful for my actions and fully accept the sanction handed down by the AFL and the club.

"I made a huge error of judgement during this time [when] I was dealing with some personal circumstances. This does not excuse what I have done and I take full responsibility for my actions."

Essendon has appointed Dean Wallis as a development coach at Windy Hill .

"Dean has had enormous experience at St Kilda, Essendon and Fremantle and we know he has a real hunger to help improve individual players," Bombers football manager Paul Hamilton said.

"It is important that we continue to build the best off-field team to support our coach James Hird and our playing group, and we believe Dean will bring valuable knowledge and experience to help us to do this."