Marcus Bontempelli ~ 50 Games

[Ozza]

Congratulations to Marcus Bontempelli, on 50 games this weekend for the club.

I'm not sure if another Bulldog player has had more impact in their first 49 games, in fact I can't remember many players at all who have had this much impact in 49 games in the AFL.

Currently sitting 5th in the AFL player rankings.
Already plenty of match winning performances and huge moments.
Youngest player ever to captain a team to a victory.
And a wonderful young man.

It is an absolute pleasure to watch him play for our team.

[LostDoggy]

I was having a conversation in a small group the other day where we were talking about who we would set as 3 ideal role models for our kids to look up to. I pissed my partner off when I nominated Chris Grant, Bob Murphy and Marcus Bontempelli. She thought I was being flippant, I was dead serious though.

Already 50 games in I'm pretty comfortable putting the Bont in the most elite of company as a player and the way he carries himself as a young man. Could easily be the best player in the competition right now - I certainly wouldn't swap him for anyone.

[hujsh]

I was ready to be very mad at BT for starting this thread. But since it was someone else we should be fine *knock on Easton Wood*

[bulldogtragic]

I was ready to be very mad at BT for starting this thread. But since it was someone else we should be fine *knock on Easton Wood*

There's no comment from me.

[Dancin' Douggy]

All this crap about Cripps / Bontempelli.

Carlton would trade Cripps to us for the Bont in a heartbeat.

[bornadog]

I'm not sure if another Bulldog player has had more impact in their first 49 games, in fact I can't remember many players at all who have had this much impact in 49 games in the AFL.

I will nominate Chris Grant - youngest player to kick 50 goals.

The Bont is a very special footballer and should be locked in for 10 years plus (Go J Macc, get it done)

[Twodogs]

Sometimes I see Bont scoop a ball up one handed and poke a ball on a leading forwards chest and then take a crunching mark inside a huge pack in defense in the very next play and think I've never seen anyone make those things seem any simpler than Bontempelli.

[Daughter of the West]

Only 50 games. Say it again, only 50 games. He is a phenomenal force! And still just a kid.

May there be 250 more and not a golf cart or knee reco sight!

[Ozza]

I will nominate Chris Grant - youngest player to kick 50 goals.

The Bont is a very special footballer and should be locked in for 10 years plus (Go J Macc, get it done)

Grant was certainly the first that came to mind - and is my all time favourite player. But I'm not sure Chris was this good at the same age. Bont is in the conversation of best players in the league - its remarkable.

I remember being at a Presidents dinner that Matt Boyd was speaking at (when out injured), and Bonti had only played 4 games. Boydy said that Bonti was the most talented player he'd ever seen walk through the doors at the club. It was an outrageous claim to make at the time!

[ledge]

Grant was certainly the first that came to mind - and is my all time favourite player. But I'm not sure Chris was this good at the same age. Bont is in the conversation of best players in the league - its remarkable.

I remember being at a Presidents dinner that Matt Boyd was speaking at (when out injured), and Bonti had only played 4 games. Boydy said that Bonti was the most talented player he'd ever seen walk through the doors at the club. It was an outrageous claim to make at the time!
Would he change his mind now with the likes of Stringer and Daniels around ?

[Eastdog]

Congratulations Marcus. Great opening post Ozza. Yes he has been great for us so far.

[Topdog]

All this crap about Cripps / Bontempelli.

Carlton would trade Cripps to us for the Bont in a heartbeat.

Is anyone even bothering with that comparison any more?

[bulldogtragic]

Is anyone even bothering with that comparison any more?

An idiot? So a fair few in the media maybe.

Bonts> Cripps
Daniel> Jones
Nothing> Tutt

[Remi Moses]

Up there with Chris Grant as the best first 50 games I've seen at our club
Well done Bont

[SonofScray]

By the time he hits 200 games with us he will be a Premiership player and an Immortal of this club. Has it in him to be the all time, best ever Bulldog. Better than Grant, better than EJ. We are watching the emergence of the GOAT.

[bulldogtragic]

By the time he hits 200 games with us he will be a Premiership player and an Immortal of this club. Has it in him to be the all time, best ever Bulldog. Better than Grant, better than EJ. We are watching the emergence of the GOAT.

SoS called it first. The Bontempelli-Whitten Oval with statues of both out the front.

[Twodogs]

SoS called it first. The Bontempelli-Whitten Oval with statues of both out the front.


Until we organise the statue Bont himself could stand on the plinth next to EJ. Only climbing down to train and play but at all other times in his rightful place at Ted's right hand.

[bulldogtragic]

Until we organise the statue Bont himself could stand on the plinth next to EJ. Only climbing down to train and play but at all other times in his rightful place at Ted's right hand.

How has the club neglected to do this already? While blokes like SoS, you & I are forced to think of these great ideas after midnight during the week. This is a very lucky club to have dedicated bulldog thinkers like us always on the lookout for it. :D

[Twodogs]

How has the club neglected to do this already? While blokes like SoS, you & I are forced to think of these great ideas after midnight during the week. This is a very lucky club to have dedicated bulldog thinkers like us always on the lookout for it. :D

As is Marcus himself. Just think, it probably hasn't occurred to him that he could spend his spare time doing this.

[KT31]

50 games only, WOW.
From day dot he has stood out as an absolute gem and a gun on and off the field.

[bornadog]

Some of his highlights here (http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2016-06-16/best-of-bont-first-50-games)

[westdog54]

Some of his highlights here (http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2016-06-16/best-of-bont-first-50-games)

There are some great examples in there of his footballing smarts.

The last one is a prime example. Knowing that he would probably be wrapped up in a tackle as soon as he took possession, he's sidestepping as he takes possession, not only wrong footing both defenders but putting himself onto his left for the shot on goal.

The one against North is just sublime. Assessing each feebler add they come to tackle him and quickly figuring out how best to evade them.