Mitch Wallis
Guernsey number: 3
2013 games: 18
Career games: 43
2013 goals: 6
Career goals: 13
| Disposals | Tackles | Clearances | Inside 50s | |
| Season averages | 18.4 | 4.9 | 3.4 | 2.2 |
Season in short:
While a promising start gave way to a quiet patch mid-season, four weeks spent with Williamstown evidently worked wonders for Wallis. The much-lauded third-year midfielder began to show the Bulldogs faithful what can be expected in seasons to come, adding a more defensive side to his overall game. Taking the scalps of some of the competition’s biggest stars late in the season, the likes of Marc Murphy (Carlton), Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide) and Daniel Rich (Brisbane Lions) all succumbed to the young Dog. But his greatest performance came against Sydney in Round 19, when Wallis racked up 29 disposals and 13 tackles, while holding Sydney superstar Josh Kennedy to just 18 touches.
What they said:
''[I’m] cooked, absolutely cooked… I think it was the story of the day - the pressure they applied, I just felt like I had no room to move.”
- Josh Kennedy after playing against Mitch Wallis in Round 19, SMH
The stat that mattered:
Wallis’s increased defensive responsibility has seen him rise in the Bulldogs' rankings, finishing the season fifth in average pressure acts (14.2). A culmination of corralling, chasing, closing in on opponents, implied and physical pressure, the 20-year-old has been honing his defensive craft and it's paying dividends on field. The increased pressure has been an integral factor in his growing ability as a run with player. He also ranks second at the Club – behind only Tom Liberatore (8.7) – in physical pressure acts (7.6).
Pre-season focus:
Approaching his fourth year at the Club, the father-son recruit has the opportunity to improve on his base fitness levels and continue to build an senior footballing body in the gym. The growing emphasis on Wallis’ defensive skill set is likely to continue, while the midfielder's ongoing efforts to become more damaging outside of the contest will also be a focus.
In the news:
