Vice-captain Mitch Wallis says he’s determined to fight for his spot in the Western Bulldogs line-up.
The 28-year-old was the Bulldogs’ leading goal-kicker in 2020 but found himself out of the side after round two this season.
He has returned to Luke Beveridge’s line-up over the past three weeks – as the medical sub against Geelong and West Coast, before kicking three goals as a late inclusion last week against North Melbourne.
Wallis has retained his place in the team for Sunday’s important clash against the Sydney Swans and hopes he can continue to help drive the Bulldogs forward in the run home.
“It has been challenging,” he told Channel 9 this week.
“My expectations of what I wanted to achieve this year (personally), I haven’t got anywhere near them.
“But I’m living in the moment. I’ve been given an opportunity and I’m in the team at the moment.
“I just want to fight tooth and nail to stay in there, because we’re building something special.”
Wallis has been rapt for the Bulldogs’ progress in 2021.
They will blood a sixth debutant this week – Jamarra Ugle-Hagan – and have called upon more players than any other club to this point in time.
“The team’s had so much success,” Wallis said.
“We’ve played 40 players this year and we’re first on the ladder.
“There’s so much young talent coming through. The depth of our club and our list is really impressive.”
The father-son Bulldog has again had to make some adjustments to his game.
Wallis did that successfully last year, reinventing himself as a forward.
But with Aaron Naughton and Josh Bruce both fit and firing, plus the addition of Stef Martin to complement Tim English, the Bulldogs have often opted for a taller team.
Wallis said honest conversations with senior coach Luke Beveridge had been important in helping him find his place.
“My role has changed a bit from last year, where I was playing a bit deeper and as a taller forward,” he said.
“The conversations over the last month or so have been ‘what do you want to see and what do you need to see for me to play’.
“I feel like I’ve been able to adapt over my career and I’m still adapting to try to be in our best team.
“I am at the moment and hopefully that can continue with some good form and to keep developing those roles Bevo sees that I can play.”
With seven rounds to go in the home-and-away season, Wallis is hoping he can keep contributing to a winning side.
He believes the Bulldogs are better prepared than ever to succeed week-to-week, based on the growth and maturity of the group.
“We have more of a DNA, we know who we are and how we play our best footy,” Wallis said.
“It’s clearer than it ever has been before.
“Even in saying that, when we go away from it, we all know and we all realise that.
“We’ve been really consistent about playing Bulldogs footy for most of the season. If we can maintain that up until the finals we’re going to give ourselves the best opportunity to be successful.”
