FORGOTTEN Western Bulldog Mitch Wallis put his hand up for Tom Liberatore’s vacated midfield spot in Sunday’s VFL practice match against Geelong.
Wallis was overlooked for the Western Bulldogs side that lost to Greater Western Sydney by 82 points on Sunday and was prolific for Footscray in the midfield against the Cats.
There will be at least one forced change following Liberatore’s second ACL injury of his career, while Hayden Crozier will be monitored after finishing the AFL match on the bench with a knee injury of his own.
Wallis was also left out of Luke Beveridge’s side for both of the Dogs’ pre-season fixtures.
Top draft picks Tom Boyd and Josh Schache rotated between the ruck and forward line without banging the door down for a recall, but will come into consideration.
Boyd, with his right knee strapped, started in the ruck and combined in attack with new recruit Schache, who booted one goal.
Draftee Ed Richards looked composed across half-back for the Dogs while Lin Jong booted two goals, joining Lukas Webb to put their hand up for round two.
Tory Dickson and Jack Redpath both kicked two majors each, Redpath available for senior selection next week against West Coast after serving his suspension from last year.
Meanwhile, Rhys Stanley made a statement for Geelong with four goals.
Initially named in Geelong's starting 18 for the season opener against Melbourne despite a suspected calf injury, Stanley was left out and impressed in the 18-point win over Footscray.
Geelong coach Chris Scott said on Friday the Cats would take a long-term approach with Nakia Cockatoo, who had his second consecutive VFL hit-out.
Playing mostly forward, Cockatoo again showed flashes of brilliance, kicking two goals to show he's ready for an Easter Monday clash against Hawthorn in eight days' time.
Scott Selwood got through unscathed and completed extra running post-match after close to 70 per cent time on ground in his first match of the season.
After off-season ankle surgery, Scott said Selwood would need a string of VFL matches to be considered for an AFL recall.
Stewart Crameri played higher up the ground in his second consecutive match as he looks for more game time to build a case for an AFL return following a long-term hip injury.
As Harry Taylor went down with a plantar fascia injury in the AFL, key defenders Timm House and Ryan Gardner showed they'd be ready for an AFL debut if called upon – combining for plenty of intercept marks.
Wylie Buzza played large parts of the game in the ruck as he looks to add another string to his bow and add to his six AFL matches.
Ball-magnets Jordan Cunico and George Horlin-Smith also gave Scott something to consider ahead of the match against the Hawks.
The match was stopped for five minutes in the final term as VFL-listed Cat Ben Reid was stretchered from the ground after being knocked unconscious.
