Bulldogs “very close” to Bontempelli contract extension

[Eastdog]

Excellent news. A huge singing along with Libba. I hope both do well in 2019 in particular Libba.

[whythelongface]

Fantastic news. This signing shows Bont's commitment to the club and that he has total faith in Bevo and the playing group that we are on an upward trajectory. A player of Bont's ability and status would have thought long and hard about this decision, particularly in light of the amount of clubs circling for his signature. The dollars thrown at him by other clubs would also be tempting - whether or not they were more lucrative then what we offered.

The fact that he has stayed loyal is a huge coup and will really provide a boost to the team for the 19-20 season. This is a much better signing then, for example, a Wingard.

[SlimPickens]

Awesome result, also love that it happened in draft week. Any perspective draftees will be wrapped to see the Bont on their side for the next 3 years.

[Topdog]

Brilliant, just brilliant

[Eastdog]

Bont is just such a vital part of our team. I don’t want to think about the alternative just happy he will running around for us for the next few years.

[dadsgirl16]

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[G-Mo77]

So glad this is done now and not dragged out and speculated about all season. I was hoping it would be signed until 2031 though.

[Greystache]

Great news. He'll be coming into his peak in 3 years time and you'd think we'll look to sign him up to a career contract at that point.

I don't like using Americanisms in Australian sport but the Bont is definitely a franchise player.

[Doc26]

Great news.
Initial thoughts were that it would’ve been great to lock Marcus away for 5 given his stature but that also carries significant risk for the Club. Having just re- listened to Clay Smith’s podcast with Bob on Freedom In A Cage he mentions that he had never had any injuries prior to doing his first ACL with us. This is fair warning of how quickly the tide can turn quickly.

[EasternWest]

Yep. This is a massive signing by the club. Carlton fans weren’t complaining about Cripps extending his contract by 2 years. I’ll bet GWS would kill for a 2 year extension to the contracts of Kelly, Coniglio and Whitfield.

Agreed. We'd all have loved another three years on top, but this is a very satisfactory result. Couple this with his consistent language about his feelings towards the club and I'm very comfortable with the Bont situation.

This is great news for our club, and should be seen as such (not that anyone is decrying it).

[jeemak]

Super outcome. It's now in our court as a club to lay the foundations of a long term signing to take him to the end of his career - should he earn it.

[ratsmac]

I'm so pumped about this. I felt he was always going to re-sign with us but if he hadn't signed coming into his contract year would of been a nervous season next year.
This is huge to get him tucked away for the next 3 years.

Good stuff Bont!

[josie]

Great news.
Initial thoughts were that it would’ve been great to lock Marcus away for 5 given his stature but that also carries significant risk for the Club. Having just re- listened to Clay Smith’s podcast with Bob on Freedom In A Cage he mentions that he had never had any injuries prior to doing his first ACL with us. This is fair warning of how quickly the tide can turn quickly.

Really good point Doc.

Fantastic news-now let’s draft some future Bonts.....

[KT31]

Great News, NOW make him Captain already.