Marcus Bontempelli wins the Leigh Matthews Trophy for a third time after being voted by his peers as the AFL Players' Association's Most Valuable Player of 2024.
This follows his wins in 2021 and 2023, and Bontempelli now only trails Gary Ablett Jnr, a five-time winner, as the most prolific winner in the award's 42-year history.
Marcus Bontempelli will captain the Western Bulldogs for a fourth consecutive season, leading an unchanged leadership group for 2023 with Jackson Macrae serving as vice-captain for a second straight year.
Marcus Bontempelli (353 votes) wins his fourth Charles Sutton Medal as the Bulldogs' club champion for 2021, finishing well clear of midfield mates Jack Macrae (296) and Tom Liberatore (291).
Marcus Bontempelli becomes just the third player in 40 years to win the AFL Players Association's MVP and best captain double after an outstanding 2021 season.
Mitch Wallis has been elevated to Western Bulldogs' vice-captain, serving as deputy to skipper Marcus Bontempelli, and replacing Lachie Hunter who relinquished the role last year.
"In Marcus and Mitch, we have two outstanding figureheads who will help carry us forward," Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said.
"Marcus did an almighty job in his first season as captain, impressively navigating the playing group through a year which had plenty of challenges."
Caleb Daniel wins the Charles Sutton Medal as the Western Bulldogs' best and fairest for the 2020 season.
Daniel finished with 205 votes, ahead of skipper Marcus Bontempelli (195) and Tom Liberatore (160).
"Being voted the best and fairest for the year is something you've obviously dreamed about ever since you started playing footy. To be able to do that in front of my friends and the players that I've been able to play with this year is something I'll hold with me forever," he said.
"It's really nice being able to have that confidence in your own ability and to trust you've done the work and it's coming out in your game. That's something I'm really happy with and I'm really glad I've been able to get that consistent form throughout the last couple of years."
Nine players received more than $1 million in the 2019 AFL season, with Dustin Martin and Nat Fyfe the standout earners.
It is believed Martin and Fyfe each earnt more than $1.3 million on 2019 accounts, well clear of the game's other million-dollar players headed by West Coast's Jeremy McGovern, GWS's Jeremy Cameron and Sydney's Lance Franklin.
Others in, or near, the million-dollar club include the Giants' Josh Kelly, Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury, Geelong's Patrick Dangerfield, Dog Marcus Bontempelli, Eagle Andrew Gaff, and Carlton's Patrick Cripps.
Marcus Bontempelli will captain the Western Bulldogs in 2020, taking the reins from Easton Wood who announced he was stepping down from the role after two years.
"We've been working together really closely over the last two years and watching him grow over that period it was obvious to me that it was time to step down and support him in his opportunity to lead the group," Wood said of Bontempelli.
"It was a tough decision but I'm incredibly proud and privileged to have had the opportunity to captain the club."
Marcus Bontempelli wins his third Charles Sutton Medal as the Bulldogs' best and fairest for 2019.
Bontempelli took home the award with 299 votes, ahead of Josh Dunkley (270) and Jack Macrae (268). It was Macrae's third consecutive top-three finish.
"The word 'reliable' is something we really value within the football club and that's something I'm probably trying to do week-to-week and, if that's the case, if that's how I'm seen, then I think that's pretty good," Bontempelli said.
Toby Greene is free to take part in Greater Western Sydney's semi-final clash against Brisbane this weekend, with the Giants superstar fined $7500 for serious misconduct following his scuffle with Western Bulldogs midfielder Marcus Bontempelli.
Greene laid himself at the mercy of the AFL Tribunal on Monday night, entering a guilty plea and issuing an apology to Bontempelli at the witness stand.
Ultimately, his remorse – and a favourable medical report from the Bulldogs that revealed Bontempelli suffered no injury as a result of the incident – saved Greene from a suspension.
"I apologise to Marcus for my actions. Obviously, it was nervous times there and I'm extremely apologetic for what I did, but I can't wait to get out there this Saturday night," Greene said afterwards.
Toby Greene is in danger of missing the Giants' semi-final against Brisbane after being charged with serious misconduct following Greater Western Sydney's elimination final victory over the Western Bulldogs.
Greene was involved in a series of offences involving Marcus Bontempelli. He is understood to have made contact with his fingers to the region around Bontempelli’s eyes, dug his forearm into his head and also appears at one stage to pull the hair of the Western Bulldogs midfielder.
Greene was charged for the totality of the incidents, instead of one single offence.
Marcus Bontempelli is recognised by the coaches as the game's best player in 2019.
Bontempelli finished strongly to poll 107 votes from the coaches, finishing 17 votes clear of Patrick Dangerfield and 19 ahead of Nat Fyfe, who rounded out the top three.
"Marcus has had a magnificent season which has been recognised by the coaches and rewarded with what we believe is the most prestigious of all the individual awards in the AFL," the AFL Coaches' Association CEO Mark Brayshaw said.
"The coaches take such care in allocating their votes and have a unique perspective on what succeeds in each of the games. Marcus should be very proud to win this award."
Marcus Bontempelli signs a two-year contract extension with the Western Bulldogs to remain at the club until the end of 2021.
Bontempelli admits the opportunity to become a free agent at the end of 2021 played a part in him only signing a new two-year contract extension.
"You've got to consider (free agency) with football now and the nature of the game, it's a consideration when it comes to contracts," Bontempelli said.
"Between myself and the club, we're both happy to extend for two, but I think most of all it keeps me accountable to grow more and be the best player I can be for the football club."
Marcus Bontempelli claims his second successive Charles Sutton Medal as the Western Bulldogs' best and fairest for 2017, pipping defender Jason Johannisen by a single vote in a thrilling count.
In claiming the award, 21-year-old Bontempelli became the youngest dual best and fairest in the club's history, taking the honour from seven-time winner Scott West.
Bontempelli averaged 23 disposals and four marks per game in 2017 and kicked 20 goals across 22 matches.
He also led the club in contested possessions (11.8 per match), clearances (90), contested marks (21), tackles (138) and finished second in metres gained (8,474).
The AFL has ticked off the controversial umpiring decision that saw Josh Dunkley awarded a free kick in the dying seconds of the third quarter in the Bulldogs' three-point win against North Melbourne for being infringed upon in a ruck contest.
It appeared Marcus Bontempelli nominated to be the Bulldog ruckman in the third term contest, as he raised his right hand before Dunkley lifted both arms in the air, while Roo Andrew Swallow kept Dunkley away from North ruckman Todd Goldstein.
However, match audio confirmed Dunkley was first to say he would be the one to contest against Goldstein, before any indication came from Bontempelli.
Following that, Bontempelli put his hand up and the umpire refused the cue.
Swallow and teammate Jamie Macmillan pointed to the big screen and remonstrated after the free kick, saying Bontempelli was the ruck contestant.
However the umpire is heard to say "he'd already nominated" in reference to Dunkley.
The young Bulldog pushed his shot wide and his side trailed at the final break by two points.
Marcus Bontempelli says Chris Hemsworth owes him, after the Hollywood star donned his jumper in the AFL's new television commercial.
As part of the larger campaign Bontempelli is set to be plastered on billboards up and down Australia's east coast along with Sydney's Josh Kennedy, West Coast's Josh Kennedy and GWS forward Jeremy Cameron.
The TV campaign, which builds on the 1990s advertising sensation "I'd like to see that," has been revived to appeal to both new and old AFL fans.
“He is a genuine superstar so it is pretty amazing to be part of this campaign. When I told my family, my sisters seemed more excited to see him in my jumper than me, he owes me one,” Bontempelli said.
The fans have spoken and Western Bulldogs premiership prodigy Marcus Bontempelli will appear on the cover of the yet-to-be-released AFL Evolution video game.
Following a fan poll on AFL.com.au late last year, Dogs club champion Bontempelli received 23 per cent of the 128,000 votes cast by fans.
'The Bont' will be joined on the cover of AFL Evolution by Port Adelaide star Chad Wingard and Sydney youngster Isaac Heeney.
Caleb Daniel thinks he still has improvement in him after playing a key role in the Western Bulldogs' drought-breaking premiership.
"There’s a lot to work on in my game," Daniel said.
"I’d love to be able to go inside and take some pressure off guys Luke Dahlhaus and Marcus Bontempelli in the midfield and try to relieve them a little bit."
Isaac Heeney is judged the AFL's best young player in 2016 by the coaches.
Heeney was a clear standout, polling 569 votes ahead of the next best, Melbourne's Jesse Hogan with 337.
"Obviously it's pretty humbling," Heeney said.
"A bit like last year, obviously the players voted me in as the best first-year player and this year it's the coaches.
"So it's definitely very humbling. To see that Marcus Bontempelli won it last year and where's he's got to in his football already is pretty special. If I can sort of follow along those footsteps it will be something I'll cherish."
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says he is impressed with Marcus Bontempelli's new hard edge.
"I think (Marcus) really tries to force himself on the contest, impose himself on the game and the opposition and their thought processes," Beveridge said.
"I think he's taken his leadership hat and felt like he's needed to show the way. He has just led the way through actions and words this year.
"He's such a young player, so it has surprised me."
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge lauds the resilience of Marcus Bontempelli after the young midfielder was targeted for attention by North Melbourne.
Bontempelli shrugged off the attention, which started in a scuffle with Michael Firrito before the opening bounce, and still finished with 19 touches and a goal in another mature display.
"You didn't have to be Nostradamus to know it was going to happen," Beveridge said.
"There's no doubt the Kangaroos and everyone will think 'If we stop Marcus Bontempelli, we're a chance to stop their midfield' but he's made of pretty special substances Marcus, and his teammates will always support him."
Matt Suckling likens his Western Bulldogs teammate Marcus Bontempelli to Hawthorn champion Sam Mitchell.
"I remember sitting in a meeting and he just started talking and I was like, 'Who is this guy?' He sounds like Sam Mitchell, who has played 250 games," Suckling said of Bontempelli.
"But it was young Marcus, who was 19 at the time I think, and he's just such a level and mature head. He's got a bright future ahead.
"He's just really composed, really mature, loves his footy and loves the Western Bulldogs."
Marcus Bontempelli looms as the next captain of the Western Bulldogs after he was elevated to club's leadership group in just his third season in the AFL.
The 20-year-old has shown great maturity across his 37-career games and was voted in by his teammates to support re-elected skipper Robert Murphy, new vice-captain Easton Wood and veterans Matthew Boyd and Dale Morris.
Murphy said he was delighted to retain the captaincy in the knowledge the up-and-coming Dogs had plenty of young leaders waiting in the wings.
"It’s an honour to lead the club, it’s been an honour of mine to play for the club for a long time,” Murphy said.
"They’re (Wood and Bontempelli) high quality people, great players, and I think they really capture a lot of the spirit of the team and the club at the moment."
Easton Wood caps off a stunning breakout season by winning the Western Bulldogs' best and fairest award.
Entering the season on a one-year deal, the rebounding defender quickly established himself as one of the Dogs' most important players and finished the year with a three-year contract extension, All Australian honours and his first Charles Sutton Medal.
The 26-year-old picked up 268 votes to finish a clear winner ahead of skipper Robert Murphy (229) and second-year sensation Marcus Bontempelli (226).
"I never envisaged I'd have the honour of achieving this," Wood said.
"I truly love this club with every inch of my heart, I'm truly proud to be a part of it and I can guarantee you going forward I'll get every inch out of myself."
Marcus Bontempelli has pledged his loyalty to the Western Bulldogs, signing a long-term contract extension that will keep him at the club until the end of 2019.
"My teammates, coaches and staff are just an extended part of my family and I feel very privileged to come in to work every day to help improve our club with them," Bontempelli said.
"I just couldn't be prouder to be a Western Bulldogs player and I know that will continue well into my career."
Marcus Bontempelli has added 7kg to his 193cm frame this pre-season.
"He has dominated. He came back looking really good," Bulldogs assistant coach Steven King said.
"He has put on a bit of weight and is about 93 kilos now. That's about seven kilos more than he was (at the start of last year). He is starting to fill into his frame."
Lewis Taylor is crowned the 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star in the closest ever count.
The 19-year-old Brisbane Lion polled 39 votes on Wednesday, one more than the Western Bulldogs' Marcus Bontempelli, to win the Ron Evans medal.
North Melbourne's Luke McDonald was third, with 32.
Taylor, who is estranged from his mother and was raised with his brother Toby by their father Simon thanked his father for the crucial role he played in winning the award.
"Dad's been great for me, getting me to games, where I need to be, training, representative stuff," Taylor said.
"We've had some good times along the way so I'm very thankful.
"He's worked hard to get me and my brother back and settle us down and get us on the right path, which he's done."
Marcus Bontempelli says it would be an honour to win this year's NAB AFL Rising Star award, but he's not buying into the external hype surrounding his debut season.
"It would be an honour (to win the Rising Star); there have been a lot of good players to come through and win it," he said.
"But I think if you buy into your own press you can start to drop off in your own performance - you can't think about it too much.
"We've got two games left and there are a lot of good players out there, so I think there is an even chance for anyone to get it."
Marcus Bontempelli has been named the round 13 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee after tallying a career-high 22 touches and kicking a goal in the Bulldogs' stunning eight-point upset of Collingwood.
"It's been massive. Especially after not only the win, but then this and kicking my first goal and a few big moments," Bontempelli said.
Marcus Bontempelli makes his AFL debut for the Western Bulldogs at Docklands Stadium with 14 disposals (6 kicks and 8 handballs) and 5 tackles in a 28-point loss to Carlton.
Wednesday, 2 April 2014
Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney says Marcus Bontempelli is very close to making his AFL debut.
"His form is very solid," McCartney said.
"He's learning probably two or three different positions at the moment. We're not sure if he's going to be suited to one area of the ground yet, so part of that is learning where to stand at the stoppage and where to position himself defensively, but the raw talent is really exciting."
Marcus Bontempelli is selected by the Bulldogs with pick No.4 in the NAB AFL Draft.
"He's been on the radar since last year when he won an AIS scholarship and his footy last year was pretty good," Bulldogs list manager Simon Dalrymple said.
"But he went to the next level this year. His rate of improvement from the start of the year to the end of the season is something that I haven't seen in my 15 years or so of watching TAC Cup footy."