Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti says he was able to stay relaxed in the build up to his first AFL game.

Walla made his debut for the Bombers against Gold Coast, picking up 10 possessions and laying two tackles.

“It felt really good - I really enjoyed every minute of it, I’m thankful to get the opportunity and want to make the most it,” he said

“I was pretty relaxed… just tried to keep myself busy.

“The intensity was really high, the speed was quicker – you had to think really quickly.

“The speed of the AFL is a lot different to the VFL but hopefully I can have a few more games and get used to it.”

After moving to Victoria from the Tiwi Islands, Walla played in the TAC Cup with the Gippsland Power.

After he was overlooked in the National Draft he joined the Essendon VFL squad where he developed his game for several seasons under then Coach Hayden Skipworth. 

“He’s certainly come a long way especially physically,” Skipworth said.

“He struggled with the running in the early days but to his credit he’s really worked hard on that over the last three or four years and got himself to a stage where he can compete at AFL level.

“His skills, his decision making and his evasiveness are at an elite AFL level.”

The Bombers picked up Walla with their second pick in last year’s Rookie Draft.