Western Bulldogs midfielder Mitch Wallis has revealed he’s spoken to 2018 Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell as he prepares to make his comeback from an ACL injury in 2020.
Mitchell suffered a serious knee injury in the leadup to the 2019 season, ruling him out of playing any games for Hawthorn this year.
After suffering a similar injury to Mitchell at the end of the 2016 season, Wallis said he was contacted by Michael Barlow – who went down with a double knee break when playing for Fremantle.
Wallis, who Mitchell credits as of one his major mentors during his extended recovery period, said having someone to talk to who’s shared a similar injury experience is vital.
“Through my journey of my injury there were a lot of players that reached out and offered advice,” Wallis told the Herald Sun.
“One in particular was Michael Barlow, who went through a similar horrific incident a few years ago. He came to my house and asked if there was any advice I wanted and gave me some things to look forward to and things to look out for.
“It really impacted me and my journey. I just thought that I passed the baton on and the next person who unfortunately found themselves in that position, I would impart some wisdom and Tom (Mitchell) was a candidate, he obviously had a bad leg (injury).”
Wallis said it was vital to take the appropriate time in recovery to ensure there weren’t any setbacks.
“Patience is a key,” Wallis said.
“Tom hasn't had the easiest or smoothest recovery back with some setbacks here and there, I had it as well.
“If you've got a goal and you want to get there, just make sure you don't rush to do it.
“(Mitchell’s) got a long and prosperous career ahead of him. He doesn't need to achieve everything in the next five minutes, things take time.”