http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/mar...-1226887632143

HE has been knocking on the door for a few weeks, but young Western Bulldogs gun Marcus Bontempelli is a strong chance to make his AFL debut this weekend.

Bontempelli, who was taken at pick No. 4 in the 2013 National Draft, impressed for Footscray in the VFL last weekend, with Champion Data recording 27 touches, eight clearances, five tackles, three assists next to the hard-running midfielder’s name.

Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney said Bontempelli, 18, was “in the mix” to play against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
“He did some pretty incredible things in the VFL last week. He’s coming along nicely,” McCartney said on Thursday.

McCartney was hopeful that small forward Luke Dahlhaus (calf) would prove his fitness during training and take on the Blues.
Veteran defender Dale Morris will not play on Sunday, after suffering an ankle injury while tripping GWS’ Will Hoskin-Elliott in Round 4 — an incident he was consequently suspended for.
However McCartney is confident his team has the defensive depth to cover Morris.

“Dale out this week will give a young defender an opportunity. Fletcher Roberts and Michael Talia are both coming along,” he said.
The Bulldogs defeated Carlton by 28 points when the two teams last met (Round 20, 2013).
It was a win McCartney took great confidence out of.

“Statistically our win over Carlton last year was one of our best, we were playing pretty good footy then,” he said.
“We’re still a work in progress. This week’s focus has been all about us, reviewing our game, the opposition is pretty irrelevant.
“I think we’re tracking along OK, we’re becoming a good solid footy team, but you can’t get comfortable.”




Just name him already!