In an earlier football era, Marcus Bontempelli would have been a ruckman. It’s a measure both of human evolution, and how much football has changed, that he says he always saw himself as an inside midfielder.
Earlier in his junior career, he played in key positions, mainly as a tall defender. Then other teenagers started shooting past his 192 centimetres, and sure enough, he moved into the midfield, where his big body proved an asset for the Northern Knights.
It made the quietly spoken but composed Bontempelli the big mover of this year’s draft, culminating in the Western Bulldogs drafting him at No. 4, a result he said he wasn’t sure of until “15 minutes ago when it was called out”.
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Not that he lacks confidence. “I definitely think my football has improved and I think that was spurred [by] a bit of confidence from [a shift in] playing position.
“I moved into the midfield, and started to play some good footy, and started to show I can play an inside-outside game.
“I always wanted to be playing inside. I think that’s where I showed I could play my best footy and use my height, playing against a lot of the smaller midfielders. Being a bit taller is probably a massive strength of mine – I’m able to do a few things that other smaller midfielders can’t.”
The times suit him. Carlton legend Anthony Koutoufides and, later, Matthew Pavlich, set the template for players who began and ended their players in key posts, but played their best and most destructive football as oversized ruck-rovers. More recently, it’s Scott Pendlebury.
“I always saw myself playing as an inside mid, or a mid, but if that’s at the next level, if it’s as a mid or on the half-back flank or on the forward line, that’s up to the team and the coaches to decide, and I’ll play my role.”
Bontempelli barracked for Richmond growing up, but said the Western Bulldogs guernsey “feels good”, expressing relief that he was able to stay at home in Melbourne.
Unlike some players, he has already met his coach. Brendan McCartney visited him at home with his parents for an earlier interview and spoke to him again on Tuesday.
“He’s a really great connector, that’s something I’ve found in the time that I spoke with him,” Bontempelli says. “He connects with his players; even prospective players like myself.
“I hope I’m able to play consistently and have an impact as best I can. It’s a bit of relief, and a bit of encouragement and excitement for what’s going to happen in the future … I’m on my journey now, and hoping to become a consistent AFL player.”
Bontempelli’s parents, naturally, were proud. “I’ve been able to do something I’ve always wanted to do and achieved it,” he said. “It’s a massive goal for my life and career, and I’m really happy I’m able to stay home and enjoy this experience with them.”
