Marcus Bontempelli to captain Western Bulldogs in 2020

Bulldogs premiership captain Easton Wood has stepped down from his position to enable star midfielder Marcus Bontempelli to take over. The Bont reveals his vision and dream for the role.

Western Bulldogs have a new captain for the 2020 season with star midfielder Marcus Bontempelli to assume the role.

Easton Wood, who led the Dogs to their drought-breaking premiership in 2016, has stepped down.

Bontempelli has served as vice-captain to Wood for the last two years but will step up to lead the club as it looks to build on what was an impressive finish to 2019.

The 24-year-old was voted in by his teammates following a player vote on Tuesday morning.

Wood, who announced his decision to step down to his teammates on Monday, will remain as part of the club’s leadership group, while Lachie Hunter has been named vice-captain.

The trio will form part of a six-man leadership group that will also include Jason Johannisen, Mitch Wallis and Josh Dunkley.

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Marcus Bontempelli at Whitten Oval after being named Bulldogs captain. Picture: David Caird

The only player on the Bulldogs list to not vote for Bontempelli was himself, instead voting for Hunter.

“That just speaks to how I view myself but also I wouldn’t put myself before the team in any way. It’s something that I probablynever would do,” Bontempelli said.

“To know that he (Hunter) is sitting here next to me is a great feeling too because that’s how I viewed him as a footballerand a person. I know that we’ll be able to work really closely and well together.”

Tuesday’s announcement came just 16 days after Bontempelli celebrated his 24th birthday, but the three-time club best-and-fairestwinner is as ready as ever for the role.

“Hopefully (I can be) someone who leads the team the way they need to be lead, a caring and empathetic one but someone who can hopefully influence the game and others in a positive way,” Bontempelli said.

“Ultimately we talk a lot about legacy as football players and wanting to leave the jumper and the football club in a better place. That’s what I want to do. If I help one player on the list become a better player or person then hopefully I’ve done a good job.”

Bontempelli celebrates a goal.

Bontempelli said that like Wood in 2016, he hoped to one day raise a premiership cup above his head as captain.

“That’s the dream at the end of the day,” Bontempelli said.

“We know how hard it is to win and we know how hard it is to follow-up but I think we’re all excited about the journey thefootball club’s hopefully going to go on next season.”

Wood spent the off-season considering his position and felt it was the right time to hand over the captaincy while he can still play a role in mentoring Bontempelli and the young group.

The 30-year-old first captained the Bulldogs in 2016 after then-skipper Bob Murphy tore his anterior cruciate ligament.

“Obviously it’s been a difficult decision to come to but I feel that now is the right time for both myself and for you boys and for the group,” Wood said in an address to his teammates posted on the club’s website.

“The young leaders we’ve got currently in the leadership group and even coming in behind that, it’s a special young group, their hungry and one of the particular characteristics is that there’s no egos amongst our group, which is really quite special.

“I’m excited about taking the next step in my own journey by helping our young leaders through their experience and watching them grow.

Easton Wood captained the Bulldogs to the 2016 premiership. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

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“It goes without saying that captaining this group and this club has been the single biggest privilege of my career and I think only as time goes on, it will only be something I’m more and more proud of and as time goes it will only be something I’m more and more proud of and look back even more fondly.”

Beveridge paid tribute to Wood and his contribution as captain.

“On behalf of everyone associated with our club, I want to thank and congratulate Easton for his outstanding contribution as our captain during a period of success and significant change,” Beveridge said.

“The hallmark of great leaders is consistency of temperament, care for others and work ethic regardless of the circumstances.

“Easton has most definitely been dependable in displaying these traits and has forged a reputation as a beacon of strength and resilience within our club.”

Originally published as Marcus Bontempelli to captain Western Bulldogs in 2020