Western Bulldogs midfielder Mitch Wallis has been named the Round Four NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.
The 19-year-old kicked his first AFL goal in the Bulldogs’ 21-point win over Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday, finishing the game with 22 possessions and seven tackles.
Watch the media player above for a message from Mitch Wallis and highlights from his game against Melbourne.
Wallis made his AFL debut in Round Five last year, going on to play six games in his first year of senior football. He has played two of the Bulldogs' four match in 2012.
Western Bulldogs Senior Brendan McCartney said Wallis contributed to the team’s first win of the season.
“Mitch is showing the benefits of working at his all-round game and his performance against Melbourne was an example of that. He understands he still has a lot to learn but he’s a good person and works very hard at his game. We’re confident he is building towards a good career at our club,” he said.
The son of former Bulldogs captain Steve Wallis, Mitch was a father-son selection (selection 22 overall) in 2010 NAB AFL Draft. He was recruited from St Bernard’s and captained the Vic Metro side in the 2010 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Mitch played in the Calder Cannons’ TAC Cup premiership winning team in 2010 and won the TAC Cup Medal for the best player in the grand final.
Following each round of the home and away season, a panel of judges will select a NAB AFL Rising Star nominee. At the completion of the season, one of these nominees will be chosen as the 2012 NAB AFL Rising Star.
