-
Bontempelli to succeed Wood as captain
Bontempelli to succeed Wood as captain
Star midfielder Marcus Bontempelli will lead the Western Bulldogs in 2020.
The 24-year-old will inherit the captaincy from 2016 premiership skipper Easton Wood, who has stepped down after two years in the role but will remain in the leadership group.
Bontempelli, who has been the Bulldogs’ vice-captain for the past two seasons, will have Lachie Hunter as his deputy.
The three-time Charles Sutton Medallist will lead a six-man leadership group, which includes Hunter, Wood, Jason Johannisen, Mitch Wallis and new addition, Josh Dunkley.
Wood announced his decision to players on Monday, with a player vote this morning confirming the Bulldogs’ new captain and vice-captain.
Senior coach Luke Beveridge praised Wood’s leadership during an important period for the Club.
“On behalf of everyone associated with our Club, I want to thank and congratulate Easton for his outstanding contribution as our captain during a period of success and significant change,” Beveridge said.
“The hallmark of great leaders is consistency of temperament, care for others and work ethic regardless of the circumstances.
“Easton has most definitely been dependable in displaying these traits and has forged a reputation as a beacon of strength and resilience within our Club.”
Wood, who deputised for the injured Bob Murphy to lead the Bulldogs to the ultimate success in 2016, said with many strong leaders in the Bulldogs’ ranks he felt the time was right to hand the reins to a new captain.
Bontempelli and Hunter are the right men to build on the environment and culture fostered by Wood and Murphy in recent years, according to Beveridge and the Bulldogs’ playing group.
Marcus has been acknowledged by his peers as the young man who deserves recognition through past contributions, the promise of the future and the impression he will make as the captain of our Club.
“Congratulations to Marcus as he succeeds Easton as our captain,” Beveridge said.
“We have come to admire Marcus for the impact he has had on the game and his already remarkable reputation as a Western Bulldogs player.
“We are blessed to have tremendous wealth of character within our playing group. Marcus has been acknowledged by his peers as the young man who deserves recognition through past contributions, the promise of the future and the impression he will make as the captain of our Club.
“It goes without saying that everyone here is thrilled for Marcus and will do all we can to support him as he takes on new responsibilities.
“We also congratulate Lachie as we recognise him through the vice-captaincy as the teammate best equipped to support Marcus, to continue to set a fine example and grow his own leadership qualities.”
-
Post Thanks / Like - 3 Thanks, 0 Likes
-
Re: Bontempelli to succeed Wood as captain
Good call. Bont leads by example and speaks well.
Western Bulldogs: 2016 Premiers
-
Re: Bontempelli to succeed Wood as captain
Happy with this. Interestingly Trengove dropped from the leadership group for Dunkley. He's having a good run !
-
Re: Bontempelli to succeed Wood as captain
Would've liked to have seen Macrae in the leadership group.
As I said in the other thread, Bonts can sign a 7 year extension today please.
Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 2 Likes
-
Re: Bontempelli to succeed Wood as captain
Originally Posted by
bulldogtragic
Would've liked to have seen Macrae in the leadership group.
As I said in the other thread, Bonts can sign a 7 year extension today please.
I reckon he'll re-sign in the lead up to Round 1.
Our 1954 premiership players are our heroes, and it has to be said that Charlie was their hero.
-
Re: Bontempelli to succeed Wood as captain
Wood stepped in when required and did a very good job but the appointment of Bontempelli is an excellent one for the club.
He has the profile and media presence that we need and for 2020 he will still have the likes of Wood and Trengove as additional support
Many thanks Easton, over to Bontempelli now for 2020
Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes
-
Re: Bontempelli to succeed Wood as captain
I think its great timing as we build towards our next shot at the Premiership, this gives us more impetus moving ahead. as much as I loved Easton, Marcus has a better public image.
-
Re: Bontempelli to succeed Wood as captain
Bontempelli, Age 24.
127 Games, 115 Goals
AFL premiership player: 2016
2× All-Australian team: 2016, 2019
3× Best & Fairest / Charles Sutton Medal: 2016, 2017, 2019 (youngest multiple winner in history)
AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award: 2019
AFLPA best first year player: 2014
AFLCA best young player of the year: 2015
Chris Grant Best First Year Player: 2014
5× 22under22 team: 2014, 2015, 2016 (c), 2017 (c), 2018 (c)
AFL Rising Star nominee & runner up: 2014
Vice-Captain: 2018
Western Bulldogs Captain. Age 24.
1957 Ted Whitten: Age 24.
115 Games, 68 Goals
VFL Premiership Player: 1957
2 X All Australian Team: 1954, 1957
2 X Best & Fairest: 1954, 1957
Simpson Medal: 1957
National Football Carnival: 1956
Footscray Coach: 1957
Footscray Captain 1957. Age 24
Peter Gordon, can you please tell Dan Andrews to build a bridge in the Western Suburbs. We need one to name it after Bonts. Can you believe he's trending above our best ever player?
Last edited by bulldogtragic; 10-12-2019 at 06:48 PM.
Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023
-
Post Thanks / Like - 3 Thanks, 2 Likes
-
Re: Bontempelli to succeed Wood as captain
Originally Posted by
bulldogtragic
Bontempelli, Age 24.
AFL premiership player: 2016
AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award: 2019
2× All-Australian team: 2016, 2019
3× Best & Fairest / Charles Sutton Medal: 2016, 2017, 2019 (youngest multiple winner in history)
AFLPA best first year player: 2014
AFLCA best young player of the year: 2015
Chris Grant Best First Year Player: 2014
5× 22under22 team: 2014, 2015, 2016 (c), 2017 (c), 2018 (c)
AFL Rising Star nominee: 2014
Vice-Captain: 2018
Western Bulldogs Captain. Age 24.
1957 Ted Whitten: Age 24.
VFL Premiership Player: 1957
2 X All Australian Team: 1954, 1957
2 X Best & Fairest: 1954, 1957
Simpson Medal: 1957
National Football Carnival: 1956
Footscray Captain 1957. Age 24
Peter Gordon, can you please tell Dan Andrews to build a bridge in the Western Suburbs. We need one to name it after Bonts. Can you believe he's trending above our best ever player?
As an aside BT Ted was appointed coach at 23 too.
-
Re: Bontempelli to succeed Wood as captain
-
Re: Bontempelli to succeed Wood as captain
Originally Posted by
Bulldog4life
As an aside BT Ted was appointed coach at 23 too.
LOL. I was smiling at that omission!
What should I tell her? She's going to ask.
-
Re: Bontempelli to succeed Wood as captain
Every single player bar one voted for Bont to be the new captain. The only one who didn't vote for Bont was Bont himself.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 3 Likes
-
Re: Bontempelli to succeed Wood as captain
Originally Posted by
divvydan
Every single player bar one voted for Bont to be the new captain. The only one who didn't vote for Bont was Bont himself.
Shows the respect of the man within the playing group.
Sad to see Easton step down but a good decision both for the future of the footy club but more importantly in securing Bonts long term signature. Having the responsibility to lead such a young and talented team is something money can't buy. Reckon this decision will see Bont end up being a one club player. Well done to all involved and in particular to Easton for stepping down for the greater good of the club.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 2 Likes
-
Re: Bontempelli to succeed Wood as captain
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.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 4 Thanks, 0 Likes
-
Re: Bontempelli to succeed Wood as captain
Well played Woody. For a guy who has had more than his share of setbacks and who stood up and inspired when Murph went down, he has done the club proud.