When Marcus Bontempelli arrived at Whitten Oval in November last year, he had fairly modest goals for the year ahead.
The 192cm midfielder wasn’t sure whether he’d even get a chance to debut in 2014, but by season’s end his peers had unanimously voted him the competition’s Best First Year Player.
aflplayers.com.au recently caught up with Bontempelli, to reflect on his remarkable first year at the Bulldogs.
Well done Bonti you star ! @AFLPlayers best first year player is an incredible achievement.
— Will Minson (@WMinson) September 9, 2014
Watch Bontempelli’s acceptance speech at the AFL Players’ MVP Awards, below.
Congrats #Bonti amazing award don't you say @easton_wood @AFLPlayers ! pic.twitter.com/yzi5L2pLA8
— Will Minson (@WMinson) September 9, 2014
@WMinson Absolutley mate! Great to see Bonti recognized by @AFLPlayers as the best first year player #stiffwithrisingstar #biased
— Easton Wood (@easton_wood) September 9, 2014