AFL world all says same thing as Marcus Bontempelli makes staggering history
AFL fans have declared Marcus Bontempelli the clear best player in the league after another star performance in the Western Bulldogs' thrashing of Richmond on Sunday. As contract talks ramp up, the Dogs captain was best on-field with 36 possessions - his highest tally this season - and three goals in the 21.9 (135) to 8.8 (56) win at Marvel Stadium.
It marked Bontempelli's 77th win as captain of the Western Bulldogs - the most in club history. The 29-year-old received an official game rating of 31.3 from the AFL statisticians - the 26th time he's been rated 25.0 or higher in his career.
Only Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield (31) has more ratings of 25 or higher, while Bontempelli's mark of 26 takes him equal with Gary Ablett Jr. Ablett would have more but the ratings system only began in 2012 - 10 years after he made his debut.
To put Bontempelli's record into context, some of the greats of the modern era never even had 20. Richmond superstar Dustin Martin had 19 in his career, as did Sydney and Hawthorn champion Lance Franklin. Current players Patrick Cripps (12), Nat Fyfe (12) and Lachie Neale (11) aren't even close.
Bontempelli has been unlucky to miss out on the last two Brownlow medals, which went to Neale and Cripps. But if he produces more games like Sunday's, the Western Bulldogs star will go very close in 2025.
Fans have been debating for weeks whether Bontempelli or Nick Daicos is the best player in the league, but Sunday seemed to tip the scales in Bont's favour. He also racked up 15 contested possessions, an 83 per cent disposal efficiency, seven clearances, 11 inside-50s, 716 metres gained, 12 score involvements and four goal assists.
You are comparing a Rolls Royce with a kid. Nick will be good. But Bont is easily the best player in the AFL.
— COOPS 😎 (@sportandracing) June 22, 2025
GOAT!
— RUSH2112 (@StevenDavorin) June 22, 2025
And what a game he played BOG. A champion.
— Gwol50 (@gwol50) June 22, 2025
Career games rated 25.0 or higher -Patrick Dangerfield: x31MARCUS BONTEMPELLI: x26Gary Ablett Jr: x26 (would be much higher but stats only go back to 2012)Dustin Martin: x19Lance Franklin: x19Patrick Cripps: x12Nat Fyfe: x12Lachie Neale: x11Bont ain't even 30 yet... https://t.co/W7mPIO2GNk
— Jack Johnston (@JackCJohnston) June 22, 2025
Captain Goat
— Waddayareckon (@Waddayareckon1) June 22, 2025
Richmond coach Adem Yze lamented his team's poor second term. "You could sense that it had ripped the heart out of our team. The response was OK in the second half, but the second quarter flattened us pretty bad," he admitted. "We have to dig in and understand why we lost spirit so easily in that second quarter. I'd be more worried if we turned our toes up and didn't try in the last half."
Sunday's 79-point belting of Richmond, coupled with a huge win over St Kilda last week, have the Dogs primed to try and break their duck against teams above them on the AFL ladder. The defeat of the Tigers was the Bulldogs' largest score of the season and returned them to the top eight, but they're yet to claim a major scalp.
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Coach Luke Beveridge said he's well aware the Sydney Swans (two games below them) are coming after Saturday's important away win over Port Adelaide. When asked a speculative question post-game about the finals, Beveridge retorted: "We are a mile off September ... you're not going to catch me out talking about September.
"Will we be a team that is capable of beating anyone at the end of the year? Well I think so - we think that every week. Ultimately to get anywhere and achieve anything as the season rolls on, we're going to need to beat these teams above us.
"In the past, Sydney have come at us really hard. As much as they're below us on the ladder, you can sense that they're coming. They have a little bit of momentum, so we won't think they're below us on the ladder by any means."
with AAP
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