It was a mark that sent danger signs to back-sixes across the league.
Shadowed by Hawthorn’s most resolute defender Shawn Burgoyne, Bulldogs’ star Marcus Bontempelli dashed towards a low, wide kick from teammate Tom Liberatore, before flying higher than any Hawk could to seize the ball with ease.
A traditional forward’s grab.
“You could clone two of him and have an All-Australian center-half forward,” Demon’s legend Garry Lyon bellowed.
“Not many can do it… get him forward.”
It’s fast becoming a feature of the game, star midfielders spending added time in attack.
We saw it last year when Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield kicked five goals against the Hawks.
And then again when reigning Brownlow medalist Dustin Martin booted four against Carlton to kick off a history-making season.
With Bulldog coach Luke Beverage’s love affair with dual-position players, Bontempelli is set to spend significant time up forward in 2018.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
If the young gun can lance up his goal-kicking boots this season, he can join Dangerfield and Martin in the top-tier of elite footballers.
The Dogs’ vice-captain was influential closer to goals in his sides JLT Community Series win over the Hawks, tallying up 25 disposals and seven inside 50s.
After the dominant display, former Bomber Tim Watson urged the Western Bulldogs to play the 22-year-old more as a permanent forward.
Speaking on SEN Breakfast, Watson described the two-time reigning Charles Sutton medalist as a ‘match-up nightmare’.
“He’s one of those players who not only does he contest in the air and is capable of marking, but he’s so clever when the ball hits the ground.
“He can really distribute the ball to someone in a better position and create goal scoring opportunities.
“I’d be playing him 60-40. 60 per cent forward, 40 per cent midfield.”
Physically Bontempelli’s qualities echo that of a prototype key position forward. Towering over opposition midfielders at 193cm and weighing 93 kilos, he’s the Dogs’ best contested mark and most damaging player.
Through his career Bontempelli has average around a goal a game and has shown glimpses of a goal-kicking prowess – no game more so than when the Dogs headed to the nations capital to take on the GWS Giants.
Despite a narrow two-point loss, the Dog’s star, who kicked three goals to go alongside 22 disposal and seven tackles, received best-on-ground honors and three Brownlow votes to go.
But some argue playing the 2016 All-Australian as a forward could be a backwards step for the Luke Beverage’s side.
As the Dogs best midfielder he offers something no other playing in the AFL can – the dexterity, poise and elite ball-skills with the frame and skills of a key position player.
The Dogs midfield loses someone special when Bontempelli trots towards the 50-metre arch. Whether they have the talent to cover is a question in itself.
A blemish on the 2016 All-Australian’s résumé is his inconsistencies in front of goal. The Bulldog star had 49 shots on goal for a return of only 20 majors last season.
(AAP Image/David Crosling)
But as Tim Watson said, Bontempelli’s ability to distribute the ball to someone in a better position, creating goal-scoring opportunities is what makes him so appealing forward of the ball.
He let the Dogs in goal-assists in 2017, and was second to Luke Dahlhaus in score-involvements.
With the Bulldogs taking on the Pies in their final JLT Community Series game on Saturday, and Bontempelli named as a forward, viewers will get another chance to see whether one of the leagues most exciting midfielders can produce as a forward too.
Paul D
Roar Guru
About the only person I'd trust less in front of goal than the Bont is Trav Varcoe
User
Roar Rookie
Matty b- and it isn't just a midfielder thing, Woosha relied on hunter swinging fwd more than once, malthouse used McIntosh and jako there more than once. I expect the next eagles premiership launch will include gov being swung fwd when games are tight.
mattyb
Guest
Matt6x6,that a my take. I'm actually all for playing Bontempelli forward as long as he can improve his kicking for goal. Even in previous times at the Dogs we'd use Hawkins forward when he was better on a wing,we used Royal as a small forward when he was a better rover. Johnson played most of his career exclusively as a forward while he was a better wingman. Geelong used Ablett as a forward,Adelaide used Jarman as forward,Collingwood used Daicos and Browne as forwards. Even Pav was equally good as a mid but was mainly used forward.
User
Roar Rookie
People are talking like resting an elite player fwd is some knew ploy. Been happening for along time.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
"Hawthorn’s most resolute defender"...Burgoyne? Might just be slipping into hyperbole with that one, as it does in a few other moments here. Still, Bontempelli's main weapons are his agility for his size and his field kicking skills and ability to open up the game with said kicking skills. I'd be inclined to maximise his time in the midfield with occasional change-ups forays into the forward line.