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Bulldog Bontempelli set to re-sign 'sooner rather than later'
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/...14-p4zxca.html
14 August 2018 — 12:32pm
Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli says he expects to sign a new contract "sooner rather than later".
Bontempelli is contracted until the end of 2019 but discussions are progressing between his management and the club. The champion utility could opt to sign a two-year extension, allowing him to test free agency after the 2021 season
"I do have a year to run still. The conversations are ongoing with the club and my management. It's a real positive position at the minute and that will get done in due course," he said on Tuesday.
"There is not set time limit on it. As far as I know, the talks are going well and they are ongoing. They just take time ... I am sure it will get done sooner rather than later."
The match-winning Bontempelli, who has re-emerged as a major goal-scoring threat in recent weeks, remains the Dogs' key re-signing but their focus is also on uncontracted free agents Jordan Roughead, Mitch Wallis and Luke Dahlhaus.
The Age understands St Kilda have shown strong interest in Roughead, while Wallis and Dahlhaus have been linked to other clubs, including Carlton and Essendon.
Bontempelli said they all wanted to remain at Whitten Oval.
"As a player, a teammate and friend, you all hope they stay and that's the way it plays out but we are all understanding the way football works," he said.
"There is list turnover at end of every season but ... we have been through a lot together, we are such tight knit group, we hope everything can get sorted out and they can be around for as long as they can."
The Bulldogs have endured another frustrating season, which has in part been derailed by injuries to key personnel. However, they have won their past two matches - against St Kilda and finals hopefuls North Melbourne - and a third looms against bottom-placed Carlton on Sunday. Having struggled to score after half-time for much of the season, the Dogs have booted a combined 16 goals in third quarters in the past fortnight.
"It's a shift in mindset and being able to control that game, that third quarter, a bit better. We certainly focused on wanting to come out after half-time with a better presence and a better influence and, funnily enough, we have had our two highest scoring quarters in third quarters. It's a great showing of what we have been trying to do," Bontempelli said.
Midfielders Lachie Hunter, Jack Macrae and Bontempelli were superb against the Kangaroos, while veteran Tory Dickson was a threat up forward.
"It's big for your relief and confidence in what we have been doing ... it's a great sign for the spirit of the group that we are able to continue to fight out the rest of the season despite the finals carrot not being there for us this year," he said.
"Obviously, it's disappointing to not have featured in the finals over the last two years after what we achieved back in '16 but we are still so young, we are a maturing group and there are still a number of challenges you have to face each year despite what you have achieved in the past," he said.
The Bulldogs unveiled their inaugural reconciliation action plan on Tuesday, with club president Peter Gordon describing it as an "important moment in the history of the club".
Gordon said the Dogs had had 19 players of indigenous or Torres Strait Islander descent and had made great strides in being more inclusive.
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Re: Bulldog Bontempelli set to re-sign 'sooner rather than later'
Give him all of our money.
You can have all of my money too Marcus please don't leave.
- I'm a visionary - Only here to confirm my biases -
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Re: Bulldog Bontempelli set to re-sign 'sooner rather than later'
All of my money is in the pot too.
They say Burt Lancaster has one, but I don't believe them.
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chef liked this post
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Re: Bulldog Bontempelli set to re-sign 'sooner rather than later'
I'm going to say it. If Boyd is worth £1m p/a over 7 years, Bont is as well.
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Re: Bulldog Bontempelli set to re-sign 'sooner rather than later'
Enjoyed reading this today.
Have you heard Butters wants to come to the Dogs?
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Re: Bulldog Bontempelli set to re-sign 'sooner rather than later'
Originally Posted by
FrediKanoute
I'm going to say it. If Boyd is worth £1m p/a over 7 years, Bont is as well.
Actually twice as much
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.
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chef thanked for this post
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Re: Bulldog Bontempelli set to re-sign 'sooner rather than later'
Originally Posted by
Go_Dogs
Enjoyed reading this today.
Just read it now. Good read. Bont is such an important player for us. He hasn't had his best year but has still been influential in games.
"Footscray people are incredible people; so humble. I'm just so happy - ecstatic"
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Re: Bulldog Bontempelli set to re-sign 'sooner rather than later'
I suggested early in the year that I would offer $10m over 7 years.
The salary cap will increase and a long deal allows some variation on a yearly basis to fit with other priorities.
He is our most important player and his signing to a long term deal would have plenty others interested in staying/joining.
Life is to be Enjoyed not Endured
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Re: Bulldog Bontempelli set to re-sign 'sooner rather than later'
Originally Posted by
FrediKanoute
I'm going to say it. If Boyd is worth £1m p/a over 7 years, Bont is as well.
Boyd’s contract was absurd given his unheralded service at GWS. In saying that he was a huge factor in our 2016 flag. Giving Boyd, 7 years however has proved to be a huge risk.Bont is in a different class.
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Re: Bulldog Bontempelli set to re-sign 'sooner rather than later'
Originally Posted by
Nuggety Back Pocket
Boyd’s contract was absurd given his unheralded service at GWS. In saying that he was a huge factor in our 2016 flag. Giving Boyd, 7 years however has proved to be a huge risk.Bont is in a different class.
Boyd has repaid -and I am happy, he can have his money.
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.
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Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 6 Likes
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Re: Bulldog Bontempelli set to re-sign 'sooner rather than later'
Originally Posted by
FrediKanoute
I'm going to say it. If Boyd is worth £1m p/a over 7 years, Bont is as well.
Tom could never play another game in the tricolours and he would be worth every cent for what he delivered in the 2016 Grand Final.
Footscray member since 1980.
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Re: Bulldog Bontempelli set to re-sign 'sooner rather than later'
I'm sure the club would love to sign Bont up for +5 years but he is well within his rights to sign for 2 and leverage free agency to sign an even bigger deal in a couple of years.
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Re: Bulldog Bontempelli set to re-sign 'sooner rather than later'
Originally Posted by
Axe Man
I'm sure the club would love to sign Bont up for +5 years but he is well within his rights to sign for 2 and leverage free agency to sign an even bigger deal in a couple of years.
I think that is what he will do.
They say Burt Lancaster has one, but I don't believe them.
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Re: Bulldog Bontempelli set to re-sign 'sooner rather than later'
Originally Posted by
Flamethrower
Tom could never play another game in the tricolours and he would be worth every cent for what he delivered in the 2016 Grand Final.
Was just great. His marking that day was the best ever.
"Footscray people are incredible people; so humble. I'm just so happy - ecstatic"
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Re: Bulldog Bontempelli set to re-sign 'sooner rather than later'
Contracts don't mean much in AFL, so if we offer him a fair deal no reason it can't be a longer contract. Was it Pendlebury who said long contracts are only good for presenting to the bank to get a mortgage? If he signs a long term deal and for some unforeseen reason decides he wants to leave 4 years in (touch wood he doesn't) he can.
Have you heard Butters wants to come to the Dogs?