It’s Bont’s team! Dogs star’s epic feat amid mega as cheeky Swan exposes contentious call
- by Admin
- August 29, 2024
Marcus Bontempelli’s already colossal standing in the game has been strengthened, named All-Australian captain for the first time to cap off a remarkable AFL Awards haul for the Bulldogs superstar.
The 27-year-old on Thursday night was named in the centre of the 2024 All-Australian team – his sixth selection across his decorated career – before he was announced as skipper of a 22-man side that featured seven debutants.
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It comes after Bontempelli, who also claimed the AFLPA MVP and AFLPA Best Captain awards earlier in the night, was named vice-captain of the 2021 and 2023 All-Australian teams.
“I think it would just be ‘get out of their way’ … you’ve got a lot of good footballers sitting before us, I think most of them will know what to do,” Bontempelli said when quizzed on how he would handle the midfielders in the starting 22.
“I think it’d be hard to stop – good luck trying to find enough that can compete against it … it’d be a pretty good show.”
Bontempelli named Best Captain of 2024 | 01:24
Melbourne star Max Gawn was named as an All-Australian for the seventh time – the same number of selections as AFL greats Nathan Buckley, Wayne Carey, Paul Roos and Craig Bradley. He was also the sole ruck named in the side, with North Melbourne’s Tristan Xerri and Collingwood’s Darcy Cameron overlooked.
“It’s unique the ruck role, because there’s 18 guys going for that one spot. I think all 18 of them are brilliant in their own different way, and I’m just trying to learn from each of their strengths,” Gawn said on the competition for the All-Australian ruck position.
“I had a goal at the start of the year to show that I could play the role at 32 years old, and I felt like I was able to tick that off.”
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps was named as Bontempelli’s vice-captain after making his fourth All-Australian team.
It was fifth time lucky for Cripps’ Blues teammate Jacob Weitering, who was handed his maiden All-Australian blazer after being a member of the previous four consecutive squads.
“It’s an honour and a privilege obviously … it’s obviously great, I can’t believe it,” Weitering said.
The other debutants were Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan, Hawks star Dylan Moore, Bulldogs veteran Adam Treloar, Eagles goalkicker Jake Waterman and Swans duo Nick Blakey and Chad Warner.
Weitering was one of three key defenders selected alongside Fremantle’s Luke Ryan and West Coast’s Jeremy McGovern, who was picked as an All-Australian for the fifth time and first since 2019. They were selected ahead of captains Harris Andrews and James Sicily.
Andrews’ Brisbane teammate Dayne Zorko, though, earned his second blazer at the age of 35 – seven years after his first selection.
“I wasn’t foreign to it (playing half-back); for the last three to four ‘Fages’ has actually had a lot of us try different positions for that reason (injury). Things were certainly stacked against us, but as a team and as a club we stuck together and were able to dig ourselves out of that hole,” Zorko said.
With Hogan and Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron considered locks, Waterman, who kicked 53 goals this year, was selected ahead of Carlton key forward duo Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay and Brisbane’s Joe Daniher. Hawthorn’s Dylan Moore was the sole pure small forward named in the team, with Geelong’s Tyson Stengle missing out after his 42-goal campaign.
“I was shattered … my dream was nearly taken from me,” Moore revealed after being delisted and re-listed as a rookie at the end of 2020.
All four Sydney players named in the 44-man squad made the final team: Blakey, Warner, Errol Gulden and Isaac Heeney.
Gulden, as expected, was named on the wing for the second straight year, but Hawthorn’s Massimo D’Ambrosio missed selection, with Collingwood’s Nick Daicos – who was also crowned the AFL Coaches’ Association Champion Player of the Year earlier in the night – instead named on the other wing.
“It’s definitely a spot of contention every year, I’d argue the wing is one of the hardest spots,” Gulden said.
“It’s good to see Nick (Daicos) on the other wing – he played the last five minutes of that game (there) against the Demons and he went pretty well.”
Other squad members not selected in the final 22-man team included Essendon’s Zach Merrett, Fremantle’s Hayden Young, Giants’ Brent Daniels, North Melbourne’s Harry Sheezel and St Kilda’s Jack Sinclair.
ALL-AUSTRALIAN 2024 TEAM
B: Nick Blakey (Sydney Swans), Jacob Weitering (Carlton), Luke Ryan (Fremantle)
HB: Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions), Jeremy McGovern (West Coast Eagles), Dan Houston (Port Adelaide)
C: Errol Gulden (Sydney Swans), Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs), Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
HF: Chad Warner (Sydney Swans), Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats), Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans)
F: Jake Waterman (West Coast Eagles), Jesse Hogan (GWS Giants), Dylan Moore (Hawthorn)
FOLL: Max Gawn (Melbourne), Patrick Cripps (Carlton), Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
I/C: Lachie Whitfield (GWS Giants), Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions), Adam Treloar (Western Bulldogs), Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
Field Umpire: Matt Stevic
Boundary Umpire: Michael Barlow
Goal Umpire: Matthew Dervan
‘Thank the tribunal’ Dempsey Rising Star | 03:51
DEMPSEY JOINS LEGENDS WITH RISING STAR VICTORY
Ollie Dempsey has joined some league legends on Thursday night, winning the Rising Star Award for 2024 in what was widely considered an open field.
With initial favourites Harley Reid and Sam Darcy controversially ruled out of contention due to suspensions earlier in the season, Dempsey has widely been seen as the favourite for the award in the back half of the home-and-away season.
Dempsey’s 52 votes saw him win the award by nine votes, leading George Wardlaw (43), Kai Lohmann (21), Darcy Wilson (15) and Colby McKercher (12) who rounded out the top five.
“It is definitely an honour; (you) look at those names and even thinking about it now, it’s very cool.
“Life’s (so good), I can’t complain as an AFL footballer – it’s the best job in the world … I’m loving life at the moment.
“(Jeremy Cameron) told me to thank the Tribunal for ruling out Harley Reid and Sam Darcy, so I thought I might throw that one in there.
“It’s a true blessing to be up here … and also my parents (and) all they’ve done for me.”
Bontempelli named Players MVP! | 03:55
BONTEMPELLI CLAIMS TOP PLAYER GONG
Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli has claimed the Leigh Matthews Trophy (AFL Players’ MVP) for the third time in his career after yet another dominant year at the top level.
An award voted on by the AFL playing cohort, Bontempelli edged out rival superstars Patrick Cripps and Isaac Heeney for the award.
“It’s always hard to stand up here in front of some of the players in the room … it’ll never mean anything less than it does right now,” Bontempelli revealed.
“It’s still sinking in, and it will beyond that.
When asked by Fox Footy’s Mark Howard as to where he can improve, Bontempelli somewhat tongue-in-cheek pointed towards his emotions.
“There’s no doubt I probably entered as an older player where emotions start to boil over at different points … I think most of the time, you’re always a student of the game.
“From a players perspective, it’s incredibly humbling to stand up here in front of you tonight.
Zak Butters named Most Courageous Player | 02:30
BUTTERS GOES BACK-TO-BACK ON ADMIRABLE AWARD
For the second year running, Port’s Zak Butters has been selected as the Most Courageous Player in the league.
Up against rivals Liam Baker and James Rowbottom for the title, Butters edged out his counterparts in a testament to his determination and attack in contested situations.
“I voted for Liam Baker,” Butters revealed.
“I’m very humbled to be up here again and be amongst that quality of players.
“Thanks to the players for voting and recognising me in this area … thanks to the Port Adelaide Football Club and my teammates; (I’ve) got Dad in the room tonight as well so give him a bit of a shout-out.
“Dan Houston as well, he does my tie every event, so shout-out to him as well.
Harley Reid awarded as Best First-Year | 02:31
REID TAKES OUT BEST FIRST-YEAR PLAYER
Emerging superstar Harley Reid has been voted by his peers as the best first-year player in the competition.
Unfortunately ineligible for the Rising Star this year due to an earlier suspension, the award nonetheless highlights Reid’s immediate impact on the league – and the respect from rival players.
“It was a bit of a rollercoaster (this year), but it’s gone so quick – it feels like I’ve just been drafted yesterday,” Reid said on stage.
“I’ve got a great opportunity in the west … for me, it’s just (about) figuring those areas I can keep getting better and improving week-to-week to become the best player I can.”
Nick Daicos named 2024 Coaches Champion | 03:06
DAICOS CLAIMS COACHES’ AWARD
In a nail-biting finish, Collingwood’s Nick Daicos has clinched the AFL Coaches Award by just four votes.
Presented the medal by rival coach Chris Scott, Daicos was incredibly still able to make note of the “holes” that still remain in his game.
“There’s so many holes in my game still; running, strength and my skills … I’ll keep delving into those three areas,” the superstar told Fox Footy’s Mark Howard.
“I’m super humbled to win the award, so thank you so much for voting.”
Daicos’ 117 votes edged out Patrick Cripps (113), Isaac Heeney (112), Caleb Serong (100) and Lachie Neale (97), with Heeney potentially missing his chance to claim the award after being a late out in Round 24 against the Crows.
Sheezel wins Best Young Player of 2024 | 01:47
Follow all the AFL Awards action in our rolling coverage below …
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