MITCH WALLIS
Wallis is the son of former Bulldog Steve, who played 261 games for the Club including captaining the side in 1989.
Wallis Jnr was recruited to the Bulldogs from the Calder Cannons with pick number 22 in the 2010 national draft, as a father/son selection.
He made his AFL debut in round five 2011 against Fremantle, and played predominantly as an inside midfielder in his early days, before being given run-with roles in recent years.
In 2015 Wallis was released from tagging duties and given a licence to play a more free-wheeling midfield role, taking his game to another level under Luke Beveridge.
TOM LIBERATORE
Liberatore is the son of former Bulldog and 1990 Brownlow Medallist Tony, who was also a member of the Club’s Team of the Century.
Liberatore, like Wallis, was recruited from the Calder Cannons with selection number 41 and made his AFL debut in round one 2011.
A clearance specialist, the 23-year-old has made a name for himself as one of the most dominant inside players in the competition, winning the Club’s Best and Fairest in 2014.
Simon Dalrymple (Western Bulldogs Recruiting Manager) on Liberatore and Wallis
“That was pretty much an end of a couple of years of investment in terms of Tom and Mitch that we’d done a lot of work with and a lot of development. So it was pleasing that we were able to pick them up at pick 22 and 41, we’d rated both of them inside the top 20.
“That was a real bargain for the Club and something that we’d planned for a long way out and to get that return was fantastic. We were pretty confident that we’d go with them 12-18 months out just given the type of players they were and the quality of young fellas they were.
“Balancing up the list, because they’re similar types and we had a lot of similar types here so it was a challenge from that perspective but in the end their quality stood out which we’ve all seen now.”
LUKE DAHLHAUS
A recruiting gem, Dahlhaus was recruited with pick number 22 in the 2011 rookie draft, and has since gone on to play 94 AFL games.
He was recruited from the Geelong Falcons and initially impressed with his speed and flair.
Making his name as an opportunistic, tackling and pressuring small forward, Dahlhaus was handed-down the prized number six guernsey of Club Games Record Holder and Hall of Famer Brad Johnson at the end of the 2012 season, a number also worn by Club legend Charles Sutton, and Hall of Famer George Bisset.
Dahlhaus was one of a number of players to spend more time in the midfield in 2015 and proved he is just as reliable as he is daring, winning the Club’s most courageous player award in 2015, finishing fourth in best and fairest voting and gaining selection in the 40-man All Australian squad.
JASON JOHANNISEN
A left-field selection that has ultimately paid off, Johannisen was selected with pick 39 in the 2011 rookie draft.
Johannisen only started playing AFL in his teen years but naturally adapted to the game after a year with East Fremantle colts.
He went on to make his AFL debut in round 19 2012, and has played 47 games, set to reach his 50-game milestone in 2016.
Dalrymple on Dahlhaus and Johannisen
“They’ve been outstanding. At pick 22 in the rookie draft, so that’s about pick 120 overall and then Jason at pick 39 in the rookie draft so almost pick 140 overall. They had some traits that we really liked and they’ve developed really well and have helped our team get better.
“In the mix with Tom and Mitch who were your typically inside type players, to add Jason and Luke’s speed and agility and run and to see them develop, it’s a really proud thing for all of our recruiting staff.
“Jason was a boy who only averaged 10-12 possessions for East Fremantle colts and only played half a year of colts footy so he’s come a long way and Luke is just such a humble kid with a big heart who just keeps trying. He’s improved his tank while also with his speed and agility. His desire to tackle has always been there, so it’s a great tick for the Club.”
2010 recruits
National Draft
Pick 22: Mitch Wallis* (76)
Pick 41: Tom Liberatore* (77)
Pick 74: Jayden Schofield (7)
Pick 88: Zephaniah Skinner (8)
Pick 89: Tom Hill
Rookie Draft
Pick 22: Luke Dahlhaus (94)
Pick 39: Jason Johannisen (47)
Pick 55: Ed Barlow (8)
*Father/Son selection
