AFL 2025; Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli to start contract talks
There's no anxiety for Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli, who won't rush to sign a new contract but is ready to get 'rolling' on talks that will ramp up next week after a series of early season interruptions.
One of the best players in the AFL, if not the best, Bontempelli, 29, is off contract in October and yet to ink his next deal despite the season reaching its halfway mark.
Bontempelli's last contract was a four-year deal signed in 2021, but amid a changed landscape of longer contracts taking player commitments beyond 2030 for increased money, the six-time All-Australian remains unfazed by the lack of movement.
Having endured a pre-season calf injury that delayed his entry to 2025 until round 7, Bontempelli put other matters, including his off-season engagement, ahead of contract talks.
But now he's ready to get going and seal his future, which should come as welcome relief to Bulldogs fans.
'It's going well – obviously, it's getting to the point now where things will start to open up,' Bontempelli said.
'There was a lot going on in my life early on in the season and hence why – probably no different to other years – I took my time a little bit with it.
'But those conversations are definitely starting to take place, pretty much as of next week, so the ball can well and truly get rolling with that.'
The six-time best and fairest winner also played a straight bat when asked about reports that suggested Collingwood would launch an audacious bid to lure him to the Magpies.
'That information never really came to me at all, to be honest,' Bontempelli said.
Things are stabilising at the Bulldogs with the return of troubled teammate Jamarra Ugle-Hagan to the club, and training this week, which excited the skipper who was reluctant to talk about a playing return.
'Ultimately, I want him to just enjoy being back in the environment,' he said.
'Hopefully, getting to the stage in the not-too-distant future where he can look at playing again.'
Originally published as Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli to open contract talks next week
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