Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli on why he’s delayed contract extension talks

In the final year of his contract the Western Bulldogs captain is comfortable with delaying talks about an extension after being appointed skipper for the sixth season.

Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli is assured delaying talks on a contract extension will not be a distraction throughout the year.

Bontempelli, heading into his 12th AFL season, is in his fourth and final year of an extension which started in 2022.

He is “confident and comfortable” with where the discussions are and feels more pressure about performance than the state of his contract.

“I think because I care so much about the team’s performance, I care a lot about the condition and football form I am in, that’s what I feel more pressure on,” he said.

“I am pretty confident and comfortable in my state of play at the minute.

“I guess I look more forward now to guys like Sam (Darcy) and other young guys who are going to start push the club forward in a stronger direction.

“Hopefully at some point I can take somewhat of a back seat and just watch these boys play.”

Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli won’t rush into another contract extension as he shifts his focus to performance. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Bontempelli, 29, would become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year if he was to not extend by season’s end.

While Bontempelli is unlikely to be in different colours this time next year, he says “priorities just change” at this point of the year.

“In my own journey, especially coming off last year, it was really (about locking) in on the summer period,” he said.

“Obviously we bowed out prematurely from what we wanted to and I think even for me in my previous contract negotiations, I’ve always taken my time with them.

“I think that’s because my priorities just change at this time of year.

“They become definitely more focused on performance, getting the group in the best shape that we can be to start the season.

“To say ‘I haven’t put any thought into it’ isn’t probably right, but it’s just not right at the top of my list of things that I want to focus on at the minute.”

The Bulldogs host Essendon in a practice match this weekend in preparation before taking on North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium in Round 1.

Originally published as Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli on why he’s delayed contract extension talks