AFL Daily: The statistic that sets Marcus Bontempelli apart in 2019

If you think it looks like Marcus Bontempelli has gone to another level this year, you're right. We've always known he is prodigiously talented, but there is something different about his footy in 2019. Plus a Tiger explains his bizarre tattoo and all today's footy news.

He ranks top-10 in the AFL for disposals, but it is Marcus Bontempelli’s defensive efforts that are pleasing his coach most.

 

Bontempelli has enjoyed arguably the best month of his career, averaging career-high numbers for disposals (31.3 a game), metres gained (590m a game) and score involvement (7.3 a game). And the 23 year-old’s defensive numbers have also skyrocketed.

According to Champion Data, Bontempelli averaged just 43.9 pressure points and 3.7 tackles last season. This year he is averaging 51.9 pressure points and six tackles — his second-highest averages in both categories across his six-season career.

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Bontempelli ranks 19th in the competition for total pressure points and 12th for total tackles.

“Defensively he’s been terrific as well and that’s the challenge for those prolific midfielders — what are they doing for you when they haven’t got the ball?” Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said.

“He’s just had a really rounded four performances.”

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Beveridge said there were still areas Bontempelli could improve, notably around his kicking efficiency (54.3 per cent) and goalkicking (one goal from eight scoring shots).

“The quality of what we’re all doing with the ball, he’s as capable as anyone in the competition and he knows there’s some things he can shave off week-to-week and get more productivity forward of centre,” Beveridge said.

“But he’s had an enormous start and he’s one of the reasons why we’re firmly competitive.”

Marcus Bontempelli is in career-best form.

The Bulldogs meet a winless Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, with Bontempelli set to come up against Carlton co-captain Patrick Cripps as part of the midfield battle.

However, Beveridge said he did not expect the pair to play on each other for large parts of the game.

“I suppose at times they will definitely interact physically,” Beveridge said.

“You will see some of that, which is great for the game and the spectacle, but Marcus won’t have any responsibility directly to control his output over the four quarters."

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Originally published as AFL Daily: The statistic that sets Marcus Bontempelli apart in 2019