Marcus Bontempelli (born 24 November 1995) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL). He has served as Western Bulldogs captain since the 2020 season and was previously the vice-captain from 2018 to 2019.
Bontempelli was drafted with the fourth selection in the 2013 AFL draft. He made his AFL debut in the 2014 AFL season. He received a nomination for the 2014 AFL Rising Star award in round 13 of the 2014 season, placing second in the overall count at the conclusion of the season. Since then, he has been an AFL Premiership player, five-time All-Australian, five-time Charles Sutton Medallist, and a recipient of the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award. He was runner-up in the 2021 and 2023 Brownlow Medals.
Bontempelli grew up in Eltham, a suburb in Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs.[3][4] He was the third of four children born to Carlo and Geraldine, his father.[3][5] He attended Marcellin College[6] and played junior football with the Eltham Panthers in the Northern Football Netball League.[7] In his last year at Marcellin College, Bontempelli was the sports captain and played for both the 1st XVIII football team and the 1st basketball team.[8] He had a game when he had 50 disposals and kicked 10 goals.[9] Before switching to Australian rules football, Bontempelli had a great basketball career, winning two school basketball premierships and becoming a National School Boys basketball champion.[8]
Bontempelli played in the TAC Cup for the Northern Knights in 2013.[10] Initially a drifting half back and forward, Bontempelli transitioned to midfield during his stint with the Knights.[11] He appeared in 19 games and scored 115 goals during the season, while also being named to the 2013 TAC Cup Team as an alternate.[12] He also represented Vic Metro in the AFL Under 18 Championships in 2013, predominantly as a half back and winger.[13] He had a disposal efficiency of 79% while playing for Vic Metro.[14]
Initially, it was unclear where Bontempelli would be chosen in the 2013 AFL draft. Some publications had Bontempelli as high as pick four and as low as selection 15.[15][16][17] There was speculation that Essendon might try to sign Bontempelli when it was revealed that they were willing to surrender their eleventh pick and forward Stewart Crameri in return for pick four. However, this did not happen.[18] Bontempelli was taken fourth overall in the draft, behind Tom Boyd, Josh Kelly, and Jack Billings.[19][20][21]
