VFL on cards for Willis in future

WHILE he still hopes to continue his AFL career, Mackenzie Willis says the lure of playing for a Tasmanian VFL side in the future is something he would strongly consider if his AFL days are over.

Willis, delisted by the Gold Coast post-season, all but ruled out a move back to the TSL next season, with the former Kingborough product looking towards other state league competitions in a bid to con- tinue his AFL dream should he not be picked up as a delisted free agent this trade period.

“At this stage I feel like I’m still in my prime, so if I’m not picked up, I’m going to really push to be redrafted through the SANFL or the NEAFL,” Willis told the Mercury.

“I don’t think it’s the right time for me to come back, but with the Devils coming in a couple of years, it would be very, very hard to turn down playing for a Tassie VFL side [if not in the AFL system].”

Drafted with pick 52 in 2015, Willis played five games across three seasons for the Suns but his 2018 was cruelled by a season-ending ACL injury in May in a NEAFL match.

“I’ve been hitting some PBs in terms of strength and running throughout my recovery, so I feel like my best footy is in front of me, which is frustrating given the delisting, but that’s going to give me something to show the improvement for another club to hopefully give me an opportunity.”