On the rise: Mitch Wallis

[Hotdog60]

On the rise: Mitch Wallis

At a glance: After a modest debut season in 2011 in which he played just six games, the inside midfielder proved in 2012 why the Dogs gave up a first-round pick to secure the son of former Footscray captain Steve Wallis. The 19-year-old thrived under new coach Brendan McCartney's contested ball mantra, where his hardness and clean hands around the stoppages saw him average 22 possessions in 19 games. He also sneaked forward to kick seven goals. His breakout season was rewarded with a third place in the NAB Rising Star, fifth in Bulldogs best and fairest and the club's most improved player award. Such is the regard in which Wallis is held, he's the poster boy for the Dogs' latest marketing campaign.

Plays like: His coach caused raised eyebrows back in July when he compared Wallis to Hawthorn champion Sam Mitchell. Stats back up McCartney's argument, with his young charge shading the Hawks premiership skipper for output at the same stage of their careers. Wallis, like Mitchell, is natural leader who prides himself on contested footy and a cool head in a crisis.

Killer quality: The one attribute that stands out despite his tender years are Wallis' leadership qualities. From the moment he arrived at the Whitten Oval, he coveted the No. 3 guernsey worn by legendary leaders Ted Whitten and Chris Grant while declaring he wanted to emulate his father and captain the club. On exposed form so far, few would doubt him.

Best performance: In a year where consistency was a hallmark of Wallis' game, it's hard to go past his round 22 performance against a hardened Geelong outfit at Simmonds Stadium. Opposed to the likes of Joel Corey, James Kelly and Jimmy Bartel, Wallis countered with a equal career high 29 touches (82 per cent efficiency), six clearances and eight tackles.

What they say: "Mitch is showing the benefits of working at his all-round game and his performance against Melbourne was an example of that," said Brendan McCartney after Wallis' round four NAB Rising Star nomination. "He understands he still has a lot to learn but he's a good person and works very hard at his game. We're confidant he is building towards a good career at our club."

Stats that matter:
Third in total disposals (424 @ 22.32)
Second in total handballs (257 @ 13.5)
Fourth in tackles (79 @ 4 per game)
Fourth in clearances (95 @ 5 per game)
Eleventh in goals (7)

LINK

[Bornadog]

Re: On the rise: Mitch Wallis

Plays like: His coach caused raised eyebrows back in July when he compared Wallis to Hawthorn champion Sam Mitchell.

Against the Hawks last year, Mitchell gave Wallis a nice right hook to the head, right in front of me, just off the ball. I thought Mitchell would go for that, buit was never looked at. I guess Wally learnt something that night.

Looking forward to 2013 to see how he has developed further, certainly a future leader of the club.

[Missing-Dog]

Re: On the rise: Mitch Wallis

Love this kid he will take Boydy's place in the next 3 years!

[Remi Moses]

Re: On the rise: Mitch Wallis

Future captain no doubt.
Couldn't believe some if our fans doubted him making it after one season.

[KT31]

Re: On the rise: Mitch Wallis

Future captain no doubt.
Couldn't believe some if our fans doubted him making it after one season.

I don't think anybody doubted him, I think it was more a case he needed some time to adjust to get used to the pace of the game at AFL level.

[Mofra]

Re: On the rise: Mitch Wallis

I don't think anybody doubted him, I think it was more a case he needed some time to adjust to get used to the pace of the game at AFL level.

I recall there were some on WOOF who actually did doubt whether he'd make the grade based on his 2011.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: On the rise: Mitch Wallis

I recall there were some on WOOF who actually did doubt whether he'd make the grade based on his 2011.

I remember that too.

[Remi Moses]

Re: On the rise: Mitch Wallis

I recall there were some on WOOF who actually did doubt whether he'd make the grade based on his 2011.

There was.

[LostDoggy]

Re: On the rise: Mitch Wallis

Similarly though, we shouldn't be expecting a definite superstar based on his 2012.

[Maddog37]

Re: On the rise: Mitch Wallis

I recall there were some on WOOF who actually did doubt whether he'd make the grade based on his 2011.

That's because he looked one paced and hs skills were average.

[jeemak]

Re: On the rise: Mitch Wallis

That's because he looked one paced and hs skills were average.

Irrespective of that I guess it shows the folly in worrying too much about undeveloped talent after a single season, doesn't it?

We can be pretty quick in writing off players as supporters, and while we're all passionate about our club sometimes the assessments made about certain players can be a little hasty, and over the top.

Mitch had a fantastic year last year, and I'll be happy with consolidation in 2013. Improvements in ball use by foot and decision making will be a bonus as far as I'm concerned. He's tracking really well.

[Remi Moses]

Re: On the rise: Mitch Wallis

Similarly though, we shouldn't be expecting a definite superstar based on his 2012.

Don't see an improvement trend in his form?
Pretty good upward curve you'd imagine.

[Remi Moses]

Re: On the rise: Mitch Wallis

Similarly though, we shouldn't be expecting a definite superstar based on his 2012.

Irrespective of that I guess it shows the folly in worrying too much about undeveloped talent after a single season, doesn't it?

We can be pretty quick in writing off players as supporters, and while we're all passionate about our club sometimes the assessments made about certain players can be a little hasty, and over the top.

Mitch had a fantastic year last year, and I'll be happy with consolidation in 2013. Improvements in ball use by foot and decision making will be a bonus as far as I'm concerned. He's tracking really well.

Spot on. If a recruit isn't showing Chris Judd qualities now they're written off.
Good luck to Jake Stringer and young Macrae

[LostDoggy]

Re: On the rise: Mitch Wallis

Don't see an improvement trend in his form?
Pretty good upward curve you'd imagine.

What I meant was that the same people calling him a dud after his first year can overshoot the other way and call him a superstar after his second year.

Steve Wallis was my favourite player growing up and so far, Mitch is a chip off the old block.

[Mantis]

Re: On the rise: Mitch Wallis

Mitch had a fantastic year last year, and I'll be happy with consolidation in 2013. Improvements in ball use by foot and decision making will be a bonus as far as I'm concerned. He's tracking really well.

I would have these improvements as being imperative rather than as a bonus.

He looks to have many parts of the game covered, but we need to see improvements in said areas if he is to go from a good average player to a very good player.... and there is no time like the present.