Bontempelli's Injury - Is his legacy at stake?

[JackCJohnston2000]

He's the greatest Bulldog of all time and certainly one of the greatest AFL players of the 21st century.

However, the question that I am posing to the forum is this:
Will this injury ruin his chances of placing himself amongst the true GOATs of the sport (Ablett Sr, Jr, Martin, Matthews, Carey, Franklin etc.)?

Of course, whether he misses 3 games or 6 games, I understand that one calf injury can't define someone's career. And yet, I do think that this setback is going to make or break his chances to really cement himself in the upper echelon of AFL players.

On one hand, he could miss the long end of a month and a half of football. By the time he gets back, he's missed too much time to make any individual impact on the season and his teammates may not be able to carry him to team success (finals wins or a flag). Then, he's 30 and all of a sudden he's in the twilight of his career and there are more and more young, talented players who will take the attention away from him as he only gets older.

However, on the other hand, he could be back by Gather Round which could still give him enough runway to make a case for another B&F and another AA selection. And this team of his could take him to the promised land and he adds another premiership, from 3 trips, to his trophy cabinet. Yes, he'd still be 30 after that but he could very easily still impact the league and even win individual awards as other players have in their early 30s.

So... there are lots of possibilities between these two extremes. What are our thoughts on what is at stake for Bont this year from a personal point of view?

[Bornadog]

He has gone four years with hardly missing a game, so it is inevitable that a player will get an I jury and miss a block of games. Bont will come back from his injury and have a great year, so I don't think his reputation will be effected at all.

[whythelongface]

Agree with BAD. Misses a few games and comes back to his devastating best. Sure he is 30 this year but he doesn’t look like slowing down. Will still have another 3 to 4 years at his prime. Then he moves FT into the forward line for the final few years. Thus he will be remembered as one of the modern day greats who was not only a brilliant midfielder but also a very handy forward

[jeemak]

I still can't really put him ahead of Chris Grant who missed a year with a knee (when it comes to the players I've seen - and you could make a case for Johnno being ahead of him in that regard as well - how quickly we forget what he did as a 182cm key forward when he could have been the best winger to ever play the game!). Happy to let it ride out - he's a professional and is a better chance than most to come back quickly and deliver like he always has.

[Rusty12]

Even if this year is interrupted, no reason to think his next 4 are not as good as the last 4.
Complex calf injuries are only a long-term issue if they are misdiagnosed (which they often are, mainly due to it not feeling that bad initially, hence Bont walking the boundary saying he will be fine, without a limp)
This might be the year he only wins one medal, a premiership, and it builds his legacy.

[Bigdog]

Agree with BAD. Misses a few games and comes back to his devastating best. Sure he is 30 this year but he doesn’t look like slowing down. Will still have another 3 to 4 years at his prime. Then he moves FT into the forward line for the final few years. Thus he will be remembered as one of the modern day greats who was not only a brilliant midfielder but also a very handy forward

I’d move him to half back when his midfield days are done. He’d be a better Scott Pendlebury imo.

[Aidan7557]

He's the greatest Bulldog of all time and certainly one of the greatest AFL players of the 21st century.

However, the question that I am posing to the forum is this:
Will this injury ruin his chances of placing himself amongst the true GOATs of the sport (Ablett Sr, Jr, Martin, Matthews, Carey, Franklin etc.)?

Of course, whether he misses 3 games or 6 games, I understand that one calf injury can't define someone's career. And yet, I do think that this setback is going to make or break his chances to really cement himself in the upper echelon of AFL players.

On one hand, he could miss the long end of a month and a half of football. By the time he gets back, he's missed too much time to make any individual impact on the season and his teammates may not be able to carry him to team success (finals wins or a flag). Then, he's 30 and all of a sudden he's in the twilight of his career and there are more and more young, talented players who will take the attention away from him as he only gets older.

However, on the other hand, he could be back by Gather Round which could still give him enough runway to make a case for another B&F and another AA selection. And this team of his could take him to the promised land and he adds another premiership, from 3 trips, to his trophy cabinet. Yes, he'd still be 30 after that but he could very easily still impact the league and even win individual awards as other players have in their early 30s.

So... there are lots of possibilities between these two extremes. What are our thoughts on what is at stake for Bont this year from a personal point of view?

I can see the GOAT playing for a very very long time. Another 10 years wouldn't shock me, lean build is perfect for longevity, and as others have mentioned could easily play either end of the ground. I reckon he is only half way through his career... personal drive and the want to play is probably the biggest factor that might cause him to hang up the boots.

[JackCJohnston2000]

I can see the GOAT playing for a very very long time. Another 10 years wouldn't shock me, lean build is perfect for longevity, and as others have mentioned could easily play either end of the ground. I reckon he is only half way through his career... personal drive and the want to play is probably the biggest factor that might cause him to hang up the boots.

Maybe the first player to play until he's 40? I wouldn't put it past him.

[mjp]

...lean build is perfect for longevity...

He must be 100kgs.

Not sure he's super lean - he's massive.

[Aidan7557]

He is lean compared to a guy like Fyfe. Look at what all that muscle did to him, he can barely move and is always injured, Bont does have a big frame but I think that's due to his height and broad shoulders then pure muscle mass but that's just how I see it.

[Bornadog]

He must be 100kgs.

Not sure he's super lean - he's massive.

96kgs but whose is counting

[Go_Dogs]

96kgs but whose is counting

I thought they didn’t publish weight anymore? And BAD, you’re definitely counting!

[Bornadog]

I thought they didn’t publish weight anymore? And BAD, you’re definitely counting!

From Footywire

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[jazzadogs]

I thought they didn’t publish weight anymore? And BAD, you’re definitely counting!

BAD has scales for eyes. He walks down Barkly St shouting people's weights at them.

[mjp]

He is lean compared to a guy like Fyfe.

lean²
/liːn/

adjective
adjective: lean; comparative adjective: leaner; superlative adjective: leanest

1. 1.
   (of a person or animal) thin, especially healthily so; having no superfluous fat.
   "his lean, muscular body"

===
I'm not sure lean means what you think it means.

Fyfe is SUPER lean. He has basically zero fat on him. Has he become too muscular??? Well, that's another question entirely.

I have two whippets. They are both 'lean' (well, the boy one is, the girl one is probs carrying 500g or so which is noticeable)...most body builders are incredibly lean with < 3% body fat when they jump on stage.

It's an interesting question with Fyfe - he really put on physical size after he had that second broken leg in a year...was out for an extended time and obviously spent most of it in the gym - and added visible size to his frame. Let's hope S&C coaches are paying attention to the lessons from that...mind you, they haven't up until now.