AFL: Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli has his fingers crossed after emerging from a nervous 24 hours in isolation

With a second team in isolation after Melbourne’s Covid outbreak, Marcus Bontempelli conceded the idea of going into hubs again was hard to escape.

It’s all good for Marcus Bontempelli and the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli admitted it had been an “unnerving” 24 hours after his team was forced into isolation and conceded the idea of moving into a hub again was in the back of players’ minds.

Bontempelli and his teammates were cleared to resume training on Wednesday after returning negative Covid tests after a club staff member attended an exposure site as Melbourne’s latest Covid outbreak grew.

Three clubs were forced to leave Melbourne early for interstate games this weekend, and Bontempelli said players were prepared to move back into hubs should the situation escalate.

By mid-morning the AFL had tightened restrictions on players, given just four reasons to leave their homes- for exercise, to obtain necessary goods, care or compassionate reasons or other essential reasons like getting petrol or going to the post office.

Players will also not be allowed visitors unless they are there for emergency, compassionate, care or welfare reasons.

Bontempelli said it “shouldn’t be too difficult” for players to revert to habits forced on them previously.

“It is a bit of a natural instinct to think you have to tease back some of your social activities and masks and things all come back. It shouldn’t be too difficult to do,” Bontempelli said on Wednesday morning.

“You are always somewhat prepared given what we have been through in the past and what everyone has been through, so you are always fingers crossed that it’s smooth sailing,”

“Credit to everyone, club-wise and management that were able to jump on it pretty quickly and get us all tested and here today.

“It’s a throwback in a sense but we are all well-versed and well-prepared.

All clear ✅

The work for Friday continues. pic.twitter.com/GE5EVURTrL

— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) May 26, 2021

“I think we would be (prepared for hubs). You understand the landscape and it’s an ever-changing environment, that is always a chance.

“I think everyone is fingers crossed we don’t get to that. Clearly, if that becomes something we need to consider the right discussions will be had. We know they do move quickly. For right now, hopefully we can get a handle on the current environment.”

A decision on whether crowds will be allowed for Friday’s blockbuster clash between the Bulldogs and Melbourne could be determined by whether the roof at Marvel Stadium remains open.

Bontempelli said it would make a difference if the roof stayed open, but it was something he and his teammates would be prepared for.

“It has been closed for virtually every game for the last couple of years. I can’t remember it being open,” he said.

”It might make a bit of a difference, hopefully the weather stays clear. But you are just prepared to play in any conditions. We play in stadiums that don’t have a roof.”

Originally published as AFL: Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli has his fingers crossed after emerging from a nervous 24 hours in isolation