Latest news with #AllAustralian
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why premiership ‘won't define' top Dog
Western Bulldogs great Marcus Bontempelli says a second premiership 'won't define' the calibre of his career. Bontempelli extended his stay at Whitten Oval for a further four years this week, prolonging a career that was crowned the club's second greatest on Monday night. The six-time All Australian and six-time best and fairest winner hasn't tasted the ultimate success since his third-season premiership in 2016. While it still remains his goal, Bontempelli says he won't let it shape the narrative of his career. 'I haven't yet but over the course over the rest of my career that is clearly something I am chasing,' Bontempelli, 29, said. 'It won't define my career if we can't but ultimately, I was lucky enough to be involved in the first one for a very long time in the men's program.' Bontempelli produced a stirring grand final performance in 2021, collecting 25 disposals and kicking three goals in a losing cause. He notably put the Bulldogs three goals up in the third quarter before Melbourne kicked 16 of the next 17 goals. Bontempelli says losing a grand final only whets the appetite to win another one. 'Having played in a losing one, I should say, and the heartbreak and pain that goes with that, it's clearly what we're all trying to achieve,' he said. 'It would make things pretty special but it won't define this next phase of my career. It would be more about what I can either teach or pass on the younger guys.' The Bulldogs are in danger of missing the finals this year despite having a favourable run home. They've slumped to a win behind Gold Coast, which has a game in hand, by repeatedly failing against top-eight sides. Bontempelli says the deficiency costing Western Bulldogs in these top-eight battles is clear for 'every man and his dog' to see. 'It's clearly the defensive side of the game where we really need to tighten up. We've shown throughout the year we're a capable scoring team,' he said. 'We've got plenty of guys, especially in the front half, who can contribute and hit the scoreboard. 'On the way back we haven't been able to slow teams down enough and it's been a lesson we've probably got on too many occasions this year. 'That's probably where we're focused on. I think every man and his dog knows that if you look at our team and the numbers around our game. 'It's critical we do because it is down to that point of the season where we can't afford to drop really any more games if we're to give ourselves the best chance.'
News.com.au
18 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: Western Bulldog star Marcus Bontempelli says second flag ‘won't define' his career
Western Bulldogs great Marcus Bontempelli says a second premiership 'won't define' the calibre of his career. Bontempelli extended his stay at Whitten Oval for a further four years this week, prolonging a career that was crowned the club's second greatest on Monday night. The six-time All Australian and six-time best and fairest winner hasn't tasted the ultimate success since his third-season premiership in 2016. While it still remains his goal, Bontempelli says he won't let it shape the narrative of his career. 'I haven't yet but over the course over the rest of my career that is clearly something I am chasing,' Bontempelli, 29, said. 'It won't define my career if we can't but ultimately, I was lucky enough to be involved in the first one for a very long time in the men's program.' Bontempelli produced a stirring grand final performance in 2021, collecting 25 disposals and kicking three goals in a losing cause. He notably put the Bulldogs three goals up in the third quarter before Melbourne kicked 16 of the next 17 goals. Bontempelli says losing a grand final only whets the appetite to win another one. 'Having played in a losing one, I should say, and the heartbreak and pain that goes with that, it's clearly what we're all trying to achieve,' he said. 'It would make things pretty special but it won't define this next phase of my career. It would be more about what I can either teach or pass on the younger guys.' The Bulldogs are in danger of missing the finals this year despite having a favourable run home. They've slumped to a win behind Gold Coast, which has a game in hand, by repeatedly failing against top-eight sides. Bontempelli says the deficiency costing Western Bulldogs in these top-eight battles is clear for 'every man and his dog' to see. 'It's clearly the defensive side of the game where we really need to tighten up. We've shown throughout the year we're a capable scoring team,' he said. 'We've got plenty of guys, especially in the front half, who can contribute and hit the scoreboard. 'On the way back we haven't been able to slow teams down enough and it's been a lesson we've probably got on too many occasions this year. 'That's probably where we're focused on. I think every man and his dog knows that if you look at our team and the numbers around our game. 'It's critical we do because it is down to that point of the season where we can't afford to drop really any more games if we're to give ourselves the best chance.'
7NEWS
a day ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
AFL superstar Isaac Heeney drops Jamarra Ugle-Hagan trade ‘hint' unprompted
Sydney Swans superstar Isaac Heeney has revealed his wish for a bombshell trade later this year, dropping the name of rival key forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan unprompted. The Swans have struggled for consistency among their leading talls since Lance Franklin's retirement. Heeney has been a constant as an undersized target while Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald have struggled with injuries in 2025 after breaking out across the past two years. Ugle-Hagan has previously been linked to Sydney amid his on-off situation with the Western Bulldogs this year. But his name is back in the spotlight thanks to a potential future teammate. 'Isaac Heeney's dropped a bit of a hint on Sydney's recruiting plans,' Luke Hodge said on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters on Tuesday night. The All Australian was discussing life in the NSW capital in a car ride with interviewer Felix Von Hofe when the conversation turned. 'People come up and they want to have a photo it's generally pretty quick, whereas I feel like Melbourne, the AFL states, can sometimes be a bit more pushy. I don't know how, say, the Daicos boys do it and live a normal life,' Heeney said. Von Hofe said: 'To any free agent forwards out there, key forwards, this is a great place to live.' Heeney laughed and replied: 'Any big boys — Jamarra, you want to come up?' The Agenda Setters co-host Dale Thomas said it was 'interesting that that was the name front of mind, tip of tongue'. 'So Jamarra maybe to Sydney?' he added. Ugle-Hagan is under contract for 2026 and would need a trade to secure a fresh start away from Whitten Oval. The 23-year-old has not played a game at any level this season after dealing with mental health and personal issues. He returned to training in June before spending another week away this month because of a family matter. Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge continues to temper expectations that Ugle-Hagan, who kicked 78 goals in 45 games across 2023-24, could earn a call-up this year. 'I can't really give you much other than he's chipping away, and he's training when he can,' Beveridge said last week. 'He's had some bereavement stuff back with the mob in Framlingham and he's working his way back through his fitness levels.'
The Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
AFL 2025: Western Bulldogs champion Marcus Bontempelli decides his future
Western Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli has committed the rest of his career to the club after penning a new deal to remain at Whitten Oval for a further four seasons. A day after being named the second greatest player in the club's history, and after almost a year of growing speculation around his future, Bontempelli inked a deal which will keep him a Bulldog until he is 34. It will take his time at the club to 16 seasons and push him well beyond 300 games, injudy permitting, having already racked up 253 since his 2014 debut. His resume includes the 2016 premiership, six best-and-fairest awards and six All-Australian nods. Bontempelli said the delay in doing his deal was due to a 'few different things happening' including getting married, but was never in doubt. 'This club means so much to me, it's hard to put it into a few words to be honest,' he said. 'It is where I have grown as a man and spent all of my adult years coming here at 18. Marcus Bontempelli will be a Bulldog for life. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) 'When I think about the person I want to become it has been influenced by the people I have spent a lot of time with at the Western Bulldogs. 'I owe so much from a footballing experience perspective but I think I really owe a lot of my maturing as a person and as a man to the football club. 'For me, it's such a special place, the fans, the people that have supported me along the way. I've never not felt supported by our people here at the Club. 'I feel incredibly lucky to have had that for so long.' The new deal for Bontempelli adds him to a list of key recontracted stars which includes teammates Tim English and Sam Darcy, with Aaron Naughton Premiership winning coach Luke Beveridge has also signed to a two-year extension last month. Bontempelli was unveiled as the second greatest Bulldog, behind only Ted Whitten, on Monday night at the club's centenary celebration.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Carlton 'forever grateful' for retiring champion
Beloved Carlton veteran Sam Docherty will bow out of the AFL this Thursday night after announcing his retirement. The inspirational 31-year-old will play his 184th and final game when the Blues face Hawthorn at the MCG. Docherty has defied major adversity in his life to become an integral part of Carlton. He has twice beaten testicular cancer, leading him to become a member of the Peter Mac Cancer Foundation board. After playing 13 games for the Brisbane Lions, Docherty moved to the Blues for the 2014 season. A John Nicholls Medallist in 2016, Docherty was named All-Australian in 2017. "For me to get the chance to go on and play in those games, and also captain the club that I grew up supporting - I can honestly say it's a dream come true," Docherty said. "To have built the most incredible friendships over the last 14 years, which I will take with me for the rest of my life, I am so incredibly thankful and I appreciate everyone who has supported me through it all. "Perspective is such a valuable thing, and that is what I am most grateful for in my career. "When my career started I thought a footballer had to define themselves by the accolades they achieved: while I am certainly grateful for those that have come my way, I will leave this game with so much more. "The experiences I have had not just in my football career, but in life, have moved the goal posts for me – while there has been no shortage of challenges, because of what I have been through I have been allowed to meet so many amazing people and have had the opportunity to have an impact far greater than kicking or handballing a football ever could." Docherty ruptured his ACL in the first game of the 2024 season, but remarkably returned for the Blues' elimination final defeat just six months later. He had already endured a knee reconstruction earlier in his career. "For every challenge Sam has faced, he has turned it into a triumph," Carlton coach Michael Voss said. "I still remember clear as day the first face-to-face conversation I had with Sam at the back end of 2021: we went for a walk and he told me he was going to play in round one in a few months' time. "To see him defy the odds and do that, to kick that goal against the Tigers - that typifies what a remarkable mindset he has. "He has captained our club, won a best and fairest, All Australian and been a sounding board for so many of our younger players, and all those things only tell half the story of the Sam Docherty impact. "What he has done and will keep doing in the community continues to be an inspiration." Beloved Carlton veteran Sam Docherty will bow out of the AFL this Thursday night after announcing his retirement. The inspirational 31-year-old will play his 184th and final game when the Blues face Hawthorn at the MCG. Docherty has defied major adversity in his life to become an integral part of Carlton. He has twice beaten testicular cancer, leading him to become a member of the Peter Mac Cancer Foundation board. After playing 13 games for the Brisbane Lions, Docherty moved to the Blues for the 2014 season. A John Nicholls Medallist in 2016, Docherty was named All-Australian in 2017. "For me to get the chance to go on and play in those games, and also captain the club that I grew up supporting - I can honestly say it's a dream come true," Docherty said. "To have built the most incredible friendships over the last 14 years, which I will take with me for the rest of my life, I am so incredibly thankful and I appreciate everyone who has supported me through it all. "Perspective is such a valuable thing, and that is what I am most grateful for in my career. "When my career started I thought a footballer had to define themselves by the accolades they achieved: while I am certainly grateful for those that have come my way, I will leave this game with so much more. "The experiences I have had not just in my football career, but in life, have moved the goal posts for me – while there has been no shortage of challenges, because of what I have been through I have been allowed to meet so many amazing people and have had the opportunity to have an impact far greater than kicking or handballing a football ever could." Docherty ruptured his ACL in the first game of the 2024 season, but remarkably returned for the Blues' elimination final defeat just six months later. He had already endured a knee reconstruction earlier in his career. "For every challenge Sam has faced, he has turned it into a triumph," Carlton coach Michael Voss said. "I still remember clear as day the first face-to-face conversation I had with Sam at the back end of 2021: we went for a walk and he told me he was going to play in round one in a few months' time. "To see him defy the odds and do that, to kick that goal against the Tigers - that typifies what a remarkable mindset he has. "He has captained our club, won a best and fairest, All Australian and been a sounding board for so many of our younger players, and all those things only tell half the story of the Sam Docherty impact. "What he has done and will keep doing in the community continues to be an inspiration." Beloved Carlton veteran Sam Docherty will bow out of the AFL this Thursday night after announcing his retirement. The inspirational 31-year-old will play his 184th and final game when the Blues face Hawthorn at the MCG. Docherty has defied major adversity in his life to become an integral part of Carlton. He has twice beaten testicular cancer, leading him to become a member of the Peter Mac Cancer Foundation board. After playing 13 games for the Brisbane Lions, Docherty moved to the Blues for the 2014 season. A John Nicholls Medallist in 2016, Docherty was named All-Australian in 2017. "For me to get the chance to go on and play in those games, and also captain the club that I grew up supporting - I can honestly say it's a dream come true," Docherty said. "To have built the most incredible friendships over the last 14 years, which I will take with me for the rest of my life, I am so incredibly thankful and I appreciate everyone who has supported me through it all. "Perspective is such a valuable thing, and that is what I am most grateful for in my career. "When my career started I thought a footballer had to define themselves by the accolades they achieved: while I am certainly grateful for those that have come my way, I will leave this game with so much more. "The experiences I have had not just in my football career, but in life, have moved the goal posts for me – while there has been no shortage of challenges, because of what I have been through I have been allowed to meet so many amazing people and have had the opportunity to have an impact far greater than kicking or handballing a football ever could." Docherty ruptured his ACL in the first game of the 2024 season, but remarkably returned for the Blues' elimination final defeat just six months later. He had already endured a knee reconstruction earlier in his career. "For every challenge Sam has faced, he has turned it into a triumph," Carlton coach Michael Voss said. "I still remember clear as day the first face-to-face conversation I had with Sam at the back end of 2021: we went for a walk and he told me he was going to play in round one in a few months' time. "To see him defy the odds and do that, to kick that goal against the Tigers - that typifies what a remarkable mindset he has. "He has captained our club, won a best and fairest, All Australian and been a sounding board for so many of our younger players, and all those things only tell half the story of the Sam Docherty impact. "What he has done and will keep doing in the community continues to be an inspiration."
