The return of Mitch Wallis for the Western Bulldogs is gathering momentum. Premiership coach Luke Beveridge provided the positive news to reporters last week that his star midfielder is ahead of schedule in his return from a broken leg.

“Mitch is almost back in full training. So he’s training with the footballs and with the group. I think we’ve brought (Wallis’ return date) in a little bit. We’re thinking around about after the first five or six games.”

The 24 year old who suffered the injury in round 18 last year was originally slated to miss closer to a year. With mid-year touted as a best case scenario for a return. But his power of recovery should see him back sooner rather than later.

The returning Dogs

Wallis is not the only player who missed last year’s Grand Final triumph. Stewart Crameri sat out the entire season as one of the suspended Bombers from their Ill-fated supplement program. Another obvious absentee was club skipper Bob Murphy. He was famously called up by Beveridge to receive a Premiership medal in one of the great sporting moments we have seen.

There are a host of other players at the kennel who missed out on Premiership glory in 2016. These players are still on the playing list and will be keen for their taste of success. Below is a list of players who played senior football last year but were not involved Grand Final day.

Player Games played in 2016 Marcus Adams 11 Tom Campbell 9 Zaine Cordy 9 Bailey Dale 4 Mitch Honeychurch 2 Lin Jong 16 Robert Murphy 3 Jack Redpath 10 Matthew Suckling 17 Bailey Williams 6

It again reinforces what a remarkable effort it was from the Western Bulldogs. Not only a lengthy injury list throughout the season, but many who did play in the Grand Final had an interrupted year with injury.

Mitch Wallis’ family ties

Mitch Wallis has long had a connection to the Whitten Oval, growing up a Bulldogs supporter. His father Stephen was a club legend who captained the club and played 261 games.

It was obvious how much the Bulldogs victory last year meant to former player Tony Liberatore with his son Tom playing a pivotal role. But Mitch confirmed his father was every bit as excited when the Bulldogs made it all the way to Grand Final day. The injured midfielder was on hand with his father to watch the Bulldogs defeat GWS in the Preliminary final.

“I’ll let you in on a little secret. He actually sang the song on the plane on the way home. But to wear his Bulldogs scarf and cheer as loud as any other supporter, it was a pretty special occasion. And even to share it with him. Because I’ve been a supporter for 23 years and ridden the bumps of those prelim finals in ’08, ‘09 and ‘10. To experience that with him was pretty special.”

Defending the crown

The last two years Mitch Wallis has averaged over 20 disposals per match. So if he can get back to his best with his clearance work and attack on the footy, he will have an important role to play. If all goes according to plan, the 24 year old will also be in line to play game 100 during the season.

The off-season has also seen Travis Cloke arrive from the Magpies. Cloke has played the opening two games of the season and the Bulldogs have started the season well with two wins. Games coming up against Fremantle, North Melbourne and Brisbane give the Dogs the chance to really set the season up.

Last year many pundits felt the Bulldogs did the impossible. Winning the Premiership after finishing the season in 7th position. What we saw unfold was a team that had a special emotional bond. A team that played for each other, their coach and their supporters. More of the same in 2017 and some different faces might be enjoying the feeling that comes with winning a Premiership.

by Liam Sheedy – contributor

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