Football clubs are built on mateship, togetherness, and a team-first mindset. 

For two long months living in isolation, that feeling of camaraderie for players, coaches and staff was restricted to zoom calls and solo training sessions. 

But on Monday, the first (small) signs of normality returned with AFL players coming back to non-contact training, ahead of the AFL season resumption on June 11. 

For the Bulldogs’ Mitch Wallis, it was “amazing to be back”.

“It’s been a long eight weeks away from the club,” he said after Monday’s session. 

“Not being able to see your team-mates in person has been quite a struggle. 

“All the more reason to be excited to see each other, although it was in groups of seven. 

“Momentum is going to build over the coming weeks.  It was exciting, and just a taste of what’s to come to get back out there and pull on the red, white and blue.” 

When that famous jumper does get dusted off and worn by the selected 22 for the Round 2 match against a yet-to-be-determined opponent, redemption will be on the players’ minds.

“There’s a fair bit of fire in the belly after the performance we put up in Round 1,” Wallis said. 

“Whoever the opponent is, we’re looking forward now. 

“I have that much belief in the group, and I know the coaching staff do as well.”