""I spoke to people in the industry prior to Round 1 who had been following our training and practice games and many believed we were among the most impressive team in Victoria based on intensity and skills,"" Wallis explained.
With a 27-point victory for the Bombers over the reigning premiers in Round 1 and the new skipper kicking a bag of eight goals, it looked like the Bombers might have been on the verge of something exciting. It certainly hasn't panned out that way.
""The next month of footy we just couldn’t get across the line and with a number of injuries perhaps that broke the spirit,"" Wallis said.
""But then the last month to six weeks has been very disappointing. How can a team go from being so promising to be one and eleven after 12 rounds?"" Wallis said.
""This game never stops testing you and I have a theory that everything happens for a reason, it’s a ruthless business and the mentally tough survive. That’s where we are now, it’s all mental.
""Those who are willing to fight through the barriers come out better people and we will come out a better team going forward.""
While the club isn’t making excuses, a big factor in its fortunes was losing captain Matthew Lloyd after Round 3 for the season. A champion player who averages over four goals a game, his absence was always going to make a big difference to his teams chances.
""All of a sudden you take out a very important piece of the puzzle. The workload now has to be shared amongst the playing group to replace Lloydy. It’s also his leadership as well as much as his performance on the field. There are a number of things that Matthew brings to the group every week,"" Wallis said.
But the feeling remains positive amongst the playing group despite eleven consecutive losses.
""I often look at the group and people comment to the coaching staff that you wouldn’t believe we are sitting in 16th position with one win for the season with the way the group are conducting themselves publicly,"" he said.
""There is a fine line - we want our players to be really hurting that they are losing but also want them to stay positive enough to get up for the next game and that’s an art of coaching.""
And while it will be a long ten weeks for the remainder of the season, Wallis believes the club will be doing everything in its capacity to make supporters proud and continue to develop a team for the future.
""Every time you pull on a red and black jumper you go out to win,"" he said.
""We have to instill that in the players. Every time they run out they are representing the Essendon Football Club – both competitively and passionately.
""I think supporters will accept that its not our best side out there, but the players who are playing are giving it 100%.
""Whether we end up winning ten out of ten or one out of ten for the remainder of the season, if we have given it a full 100% crack then that’s what our supporters are really looking for,"" Wallis said.
In injury news, after pulling out of the Round 12 match against Melbourne, Dustin Fletcher will return next week for the clash against the Kangaroos.
Richard Cole will return to the Bendigo Bombers this weekend after having a hamstring injury and is starting to get his body into shape for AFL football.
Dean Rioli is progressing well from his knee arthroscope and should be up and running in two to three weeks.
