DIRECTLY after Saturday's 46-point win over Fremantle, Western Bulldogs' CEO Simon Garlick addressed the players in their Etihad Stadium changerooms.

He thanked them for their work this year and their determination despite injuries that crippled them late in the season, and told them to rest their bodies ahead of what is sure to be a gruelling pre-season.

He also turned his attention to the club's first-year players - four of which, Mitch Wallis, Tom Liberatore, Luke Dahlhaus and Jayden Schofield, played in the final home-and-away season game on Saturday.

He told them to take a look at Barry Hall, Ben Hudson and Mitch Hahn, who announced their retirements this season, and to make sure they appreciated the veterans' careers because theirs too would go quickly.

Wallis, who returned to the senior side this week after last playing in round 11, said it had been hugely motivating to play with Hall and Hudson.

"You look back at their records on how well they've played over such a long time, and how they're still at the level now, it's just amazing what they've done," the 18-year-old told afl.com.au after the game.

"When we first got to the club, it was those three guys who were the most welcoming, and you could see from today they could play on.

"Their bodies have probably had enough but they're in such good form and they're such good competitors, and play well week in, week out.

"They're going create a big hole in our team but hopefully that will be quickly filled by other players."

Wallis said the opportunity to play in the final game for Hall and Hudson, and have Hahn in the rooms beforehand, was something he was proud of.

He also said when the time came to lift two of the team's biggest individuals for the chair off, he made sure he was well away from the action so he didn't "break his shoulders".

"It was a great one to come back in for so I could be part of it when they went off," he said.

"Barry, having such a good last quarter, you couldn't have written the script any better with him finishing with five goals and Huddo having a good hit-out in the ruck.

"It's just amazing to be part of."

Wallis has been out of the senior team because of instruction to develop his defensive side, and because his body - fresh from the under-18 competition - was starting to get sore.

He is also learning how to manage the bunions he inherited from his father, former Bulldogs player Steve, that grow on both his feet.

"It's a matter of wearing open shoes and getting lots of treatment on them because they swell up after every game," he said.

"You've just got to manage them a couple of days afterwards because it's hard to walk and run.

"I'm complaining a bit but it's not that bad."

Jennifer Witham covers Western Bulldogs news for the AFL Website. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham