Latest news with #MarcusBontempelli
Sky News AU
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Sky News AU
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
News.com.au
16 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli to open contract talks next week
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.'
The Advertiser
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'Good things take time': Bont contract talks to begin
Marcus Bontempelli expects negotiations to go smoothly as talks finally ramp up on his next contract with the Western Bulldogs. The Bulldogs captain, one of the greatest players in the AFL club's history, said on Friday morning that talks will start in earnest next week. The delay in that process inevitably has led to speculation about the 29-year-old's future, but Bontempelli is giving no signs that is looking elsewhere. Coach Luke Beveridge noted this week that the star midfielder has had a lot on his plate this year - a pre-season calf injury, a marriage to plan and part-ownership of a Melbourne cafe. "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. "I see it going quite smoothly." Likewise, he is pleased that troubled teammate Jamarra Ugle-Hagan returned to the club this week and is back training. But just as Beveridge won't predict when the former No.1 draft pick might play again, Bontempelli has no expectations about Ugle-Hagan's potential comeback. "Ultimately, I want him to just enjoy being back in the environment - hopefully getting to the stage in the not-too-distant future where he can look at a playing again," Bontempelli said. Bontempelli's on-field output was quelled by St Kilda tagger Marcus Windhager in round 14, but the Bulldogs still won by 72 points. The 'Dogs captain was unfussed by the attention. "That is the big badge of honour, the big responsibility, you get sometimes," he said. "The opposition will pay you closer attention - it is a feather in your cap. "You have to look at that as a positive. Ultimately, in those scenarios you can look at it as an advantage and how you get a win in that area, by somewhat sacrificing your own game in the end for others to benefit." Bontempelli was at Marvel Stadium to help launch the 'Touch and Track' technology, designed to help blind people follow the game live. Blind footballer and keen Bulldogs fan Shaun Keath felt there was a missed opportunity on Friday. "I should have had a word with you earlier and got you to sign today - it would have been a great scoop," Keath said as he showed the system to Bontempelli. "I used it (Touch and Track) last week when The Bont flogged St Kilda and it was near-perfect, so it was great. "I don't need the headphones in all the time as well ... heaps more enjoyable." Touch and Track has been in development for a couple of years and Bontempelli noted "good things take time" - a bit like his contract talks. Marcus Bontempelli expects negotiations to go smoothly as talks finally ramp up on his next contract with the Western Bulldogs. The Bulldogs captain, one of the greatest players in the AFL club's history, said on Friday morning that talks will start in earnest next week. The delay in that process inevitably has led to speculation about the 29-year-old's future, but Bontempelli is giving no signs that is looking elsewhere. Coach Luke Beveridge noted this week that the star midfielder has had a lot on his plate this year - a pre-season calf injury, a marriage to plan and part-ownership of a Melbourne cafe. "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. "I see it going quite smoothly." Likewise, he is pleased that troubled teammate Jamarra Ugle-Hagan returned to the club this week and is back training. But just as Beveridge won't predict when the former No.1 draft pick might play again, Bontempelli has no expectations about Ugle-Hagan's potential comeback. "Ultimately, I want him to just enjoy being back in the environment - hopefully getting to the stage in the not-too-distant future where he can look at a playing again," Bontempelli said. Bontempelli's on-field output was quelled by St Kilda tagger Marcus Windhager in round 14, but the Bulldogs still won by 72 points. The 'Dogs captain was unfussed by the attention. "That is the big badge of honour, the big responsibility, you get sometimes," he said. "The opposition will pay you closer attention - it is a feather in your cap. "You have to look at that as a positive. Ultimately, in those scenarios you can look at it as an advantage and how you get a win in that area, by somewhat sacrificing your own game in the end for others to benefit." Bontempelli was at Marvel Stadium to help launch the 'Touch and Track' technology, designed to help blind people follow the game live. Blind footballer and keen Bulldogs fan Shaun Keath felt there was a missed opportunity on Friday. "I should have had a word with you earlier and got you to sign today - it would have been a great scoop," Keath said as he showed the system to Bontempelli. "I used it (Touch and Track) last week when The Bont flogged St Kilda and it was near-perfect, so it was great. "I don't need the headphones in all the time as well ... heaps more enjoyable." Touch and Track has been in development for a couple of years and Bontempelli noted "good things take time" - a bit like his contract talks. Marcus Bontempelli expects negotiations to go smoothly as talks finally ramp up on his next contract with the Western Bulldogs. The Bulldogs captain, one of the greatest players in the AFL club's history, said on Friday morning that talks will start in earnest next week. The delay in that process inevitably has led to speculation about the 29-year-old's future, but Bontempelli is giving no signs that is looking elsewhere. Coach Luke Beveridge noted this week that the star midfielder has had a lot on his plate this year - a pre-season calf injury, a marriage to plan and part-ownership of a Melbourne cafe. "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. "I see it going quite smoothly." Likewise, he is pleased that troubled teammate Jamarra Ugle-Hagan returned to the club this week and is back training. But just as Beveridge won't predict when the former No.1 draft pick might play again, Bontempelli has no expectations about Ugle-Hagan's potential comeback. "Ultimately, I want him to just enjoy being back in the environment - hopefully getting to the stage in the not-too-distant future where he can look at a playing again," Bontempelli said. Bontempelli's on-field output was quelled by St Kilda tagger Marcus Windhager in round 14, but the Bulldogs still won by 72 points. The 'Dogs captain was unfussed by the attention. "That is the big badge of honour, the big responsibility, you get sometimes," he said. "The opposition will pay you closer attention - it is a feather in your cap. "You have to look at that as a positive. Ultimately, in those scenarios you can look at it as an advantage and how you get a win in that area, by somewhat sacrificing your own game in the end for others to benefit." Bontempelli was at Marvel Stadium to help launch the 'Touch and Track' technology, designed to help blind people follow the game live. Blind footballer and keen Bulldogs fan Shaun Keath felt there was a missed opportunity on Friday. "I should have had a word with you earlier and got you to sign today - it would have been a great scoop," Keath said as he showed the system to Bontempelli. "I used it (Touch and Track) last week when The Bont flogged St Kilda and it was near-perfect, so it was great. "I don't need the headphones in all the time as well ... heaps more enjoyable." Touch and Track has been in development for a couple of years and Bontempelli noted "good things take time" - a bit like his contract talks.
Perth Now
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
'Good things take time': Bont contract talks to begin
Marcus Bontempelli expects negotiations to go smoothly as talks finally ramp up on his next contract with the Western Bulldogs. The Bulldogs captain, one of the greatest players in the AFL club's history, said on Friday morning that talks will start in earnest next week. The delay in that process inevitably has led to speculation about the 29-year-old's future, but Bontempelli is giving no signs that is looking elsewhere. Coach Luke Beveridge noted this week that the star midfielder has had a lot on his plate this year - a pre-season calf injury, a marriage to plan and part-ownership of a Melbourne cafe. "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. "I see it going quite smoothly." Likewise, he is pleased that troubled teammate Jamarra Ugle-Hagan returned to the club this week and is back training. But just as Beveridge won't predict when the former No.1 draft pick might play again, Bontempelli has no expectations about Ugle-Hagan's potential comeback. "Ultimately, I want him to just enjoy being back in the environment - hopefully getting to the stage in the not-too-distant future where he can look at a playing again," Bontempelli said. Bontempelli's on-field output was quelled by St Kilda tagger Marcus Windhager in round 14, but the Bulldogs still won by 72 points. The 'Dogs captain was unfussed by the attention. "That is the big badge of honour, the big responsibility, you get sometimes," he said. "The opposition will pay you closer attention - it is a feather in your cap. "You have to look at that as a positive. Ultimately, in those scenarios you can look at it as an advantage and how you get a win in that area, by somewhat sacrificing your own game in the end for others to benefit." Bontempelli was at Marvel Stadium to help launch the 'Touch and Track' technology, designed to help blind people follow the game live. Blind footballer and keen Bulldogs fan Shaun Keath felt there was a missed opportunity on Friday. "I should have had a word with you earlier and got you to sign today - it would have been a great scoop," Keath said as he showed the system to Bontempelli. "I used it (Touch and Track) last week when The Bont flogged St Kilda and it was near-perfect, so it was great. "I don't need the headphones in all the time as well ... heaps more enjoyable." Touch and Track has been in development for a couple of years and Bontempelli noted "good things take time" - a bit like his contract talks.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Footy commentator Brian Taylor goes rogue after X-rated replay
Brian Taylor couldn't help himself. The veteran AFL caller left Channel 7 colleague Kane Cornes chortling as he went rogue over revealing footage of Bulldogs champion Marcus Bontempelli during the club's big win over St Kilda on Thursday night at Marvel Stadium. The Dogs captain was somewhat stitched up when TV cameras captured the moment he crashed into the back of St Kilda's Mitch Owens, giving a free kick away with a high tackle in the third quarter. 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. Slow-motion replays regrettably proved more revealing than most with the three-time AFL Players Association MVP seen sliding over his opponent's back and then landing on the ball. Taylor was quick to point out Bontempelli's tackle when the replay showed the moment the 29-year-old took a direct hit to his middle stump. 'Have a look at Bontempelli here,' Taylor said. 'He lands on the ball in an awkward position. You can see just here, I think it got him right on the doodle. 'He felt uncomfortable for a moment.' Cornes chuckled and responded by saying: 'It's a good pick up'. You can watch the incident in the video player above Hawthorn great Luke Hodge also responded by saying: 'I thought he was disappointed because he gave away the free kick, but that's the reason'. The grimace on Bontempelli's face said it all. Bontempelli's unfortunate flop wasn't the only bizarre incident with footy fans left snickering over an apparent coin toss injury before the game. Thursday night's TV broadcast showed the moment a corporate representative of St Kilda sponsor Chery Motor Group came undone with an apparent hamstring strain while flipping the coin. The unfortunate victim was seen immediately grabbing at the muscle after hoisting the coin into the air with enough force to launch Elon's SpaceX Starship. The man bravely hobbled off as Bontempelli and St Kilda captain Jack Steele ran back to their team huddle before the first bounce. One video of the pre-match injury shared by footy commentator Giulio Di Giordio has more than two million views on X. The hamstring homicide was discussed after the game on Seven with Saints champion Nick Riewoldt more than a little amused. 'That's unbelievable. Can you imagine his WhatsApp group at the moment,' he said with a laugh. 'It'd be merciless. Wow.' He went on to say: 'It's been a rough night for Saints people'. Leading injury analyst Brien Seeney, the physiotherapist behind the popular 'NRL PHYSIO' account on X, also posted a video of the hammy ping, writing: 'Textbook coin-toss hamstring strain mechanism. 'Likely to require 2-4 weeks recovery. Main rehab challenge is loading - need to start with tossing 5c coins and slowly progress all the way up to 50c. If that's done too quickly re-injury risk is sky high.' Channel 7 reporter Mitch Cleary said people inside the Saints camp had confirmed the act was not staged and had in fact been a real injury. It was a rough old night for the Saints with coach Ross Lyon left being blunt with reporters after the 72-point thumping. Lyon said there's was 'no magic bullet' to fix the issues plaguing his struggling team as another season threatens to peter out into obscurity.
