Mitch Wallis has been the shining light in the forward line for the Western Bulldogs this season.
Usually deployed as a medium-sized pressure player inside forward 50, Wallis has become the Bulldogs’ main avenue to goal in 2020, leading the way with 16 goals.
But he could be more than four clear of second-placed Josh Bruce (12 goals) if not for a couple of unlucky head knocks which forced him off with the blood rule against both Richmond in Round 9 and Port Adelaide in Round 10.
On both occasions, Wallis was unable to take his shot from very kickable angles and was left to rue what might have been.
Teammate Jack Macrae said it has become a point of enjoyment for he and the other Dogs.
“After the Port game a few boys were having a good joke about it,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“He’s probably cost himself a few times. He might have to play with a little bandage or tourniquet in his sock to look after himself.”
Macrae added: “We can all get a bit frustrated at times when you haven’t kicked a goal or something.
“He was a bit disappointed the other week. He lost (the shot) and then we missed the goal so I think he wanted the responsibility himself.”
When Mitch Wallis realises he's lost a shot on goal for the second time in three weeks because of the blood rule, despite his best efforts to hide it 😂 #AFLPowerDogs pic.twitter.com/nhoIYpkjUV
— Ricky Mangidis (@rickm18) August 3, 2020
On the serious front, Macrae praised Wallis for becoming more of a presence in attack with his pure want to receive the ball in dangerous positions.
“Something that Mitch Wallis has really improved in his game is just demanding the footy,” Macrae said.
“When you first come out (of a contested situation) you really see those kind of players and they draw the footy towards them.”
Wallis has been forced to carry more of the scoring burden with off-season recruit Josh Bruce taking time to assimilate at his new home doubled with the absence of promising youngster Aaron Naughton.
But with Naughton having returned in the weekend’s loss to Brisbane, things will soon straighten up and the Dogs will be much more dangerous, hopes star midfielder Macrae.
“At times our ball use going inside 50 hasn’t been as good as we’d like it to be,” he said further.
“Not having Aaron Naughton in the team, at different times he’s (Bruce) been the only forward above 185 centimetres. It’s probably been a bit hard on him.
“Up here in Queensland it can get a bit dewy at night as well which does it make a lot harder for key forwards.
“It’s all a work in progress. We know what Brucey’s best footy looks like and I’m sure it’s not far around the corner.
“We’ve got Naughton back and he really improved as the game went on the weekend. It will be good to get him some form and continuity and that will only help the other forwards.
“We’re still looking for the perfect mix like when we were firing last year and I think we’re getting pretty close now.”
On the back of three straight defeats, the Dogs find themselves sitting 10th on the ladder with a 5-6 record ahead of their must-win meeting with the winless Adelaide at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.