Latest news with #WhittenOval
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- 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
23-07-2025
- 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.'
News.com.au
22-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Sad truth as legend misses Western Bulldogs celebration
Bulldogs legend Chris Grant was the big name missing from the Western Bulldogs' centenary gala on Monday night. On a special night for the football club, it was sad for many fans to see Grant did not attend the event as rumours of a rift between the former centre half-forward and club officials continue to swirl. As first reported by Channel 9's Tom Morris, Grant was not at the Whitten Oval gala where the club celebrated its 25 greatest players of the past 100 years. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. It is a concerning update following months of rumours the 52-year-old fell out with sections of the club before his departure as football department boss last year. According to Code Sports in March, Grant and Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge were not on speaking terms towards the end of the 2024 season. Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains in February, 2024, said there had been 'tensions in many quarters' but denied there was a rift between Grant and Beveridge, saying those reports had been 'grossly exaggerated'. However, it is clear the dynamic deteriorated, leading to Grant's decision to step down in November — ending his 31 years with the club. Since debuting with the club in 1990 as a 17-year-old, Grant developed into one of the club's greatest players, twice winning the Charles Sutton Medal. He was named captain in 2001. His retirement in 2007 was the end of an era. Grant was loved on and off the field as a loyal club servant, reportedly turning down a monster contract offer from Port Adelaide to stay with the Bulldogs during his playing career. He was appointed to the club's board of directors in 2011 and moved into a role as football department boss in 2016 to oversee the men's and women's teams. Both sides won premierships, in 2016 and 2018 respectively. Grant's decision to step down came after the Bulldogs created a new position in 2023 which created distance between him and senior coach Beveridge. Former Geelong defender Matthew Egan was appointed as general manager of football operations following a review of the club's football department. It meant Beveridge no longer reported to Grant directly. According to The Age, Grant's role shifted to focus more on the club's AFLW program. It is clear Grant's messy split from the club cut deep, judging by his no-shows at recent club events. 'One person who isn't here is Chris Grant, who had an acrimonious split with the club last year when he was the club football boss,' Morris said on 9News. 'He missed the Round 2 gala at the MCG. And he's also missing tonight, saying he's unavailable.' 25 of the greatest all together. â�¤ï¸� — Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) July 21, 2025 Grant missed the club's 100 year celebration — against Collingwood in March — with the club saying he was overseas at the time. He played 300 games for the club and it would have been fitting for Grant to attend both of this year's big events. His farewell statement in 2024 showed how sad his separation from the club has been. 'I've spent over half of my life with the club as a player and administrator and will cherish the many memories we have created together at the Western Bulldogs,' Grant said. 'While the decision to pause and map out the next stage of my professional career has not been an easy one, I leave knowing the club is in a great position to succeed and write the next chapter in the amazing history of the red, white and blue.' Six living Brownlow medallists, including recently distant 2008 medallist Adam Cooney, attended the March celebration where greats of the club were recognised before the game on the MCG playing surface. Club champions, including Brad Johnson, Doug Hawkins, Rohan Smith, Scott West and Bob Murphy were present. It has been a turbulent time at The Kennel in recent years with the departure of several football department figures, but the club has banked on stability in handing Beveridge a two-year contract extension through to the end of the 2027 season. The Bulldogs have not won a final since 2021.
The Australian
22-07-2025
- 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.
News.com.au
22-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
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. '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.
