Marcus Bontempelli takes his mum to the Brownlow

BULLDOGS star Marcus Bontempelli took his mother Geraldine to the Brownlow to thank her for supporting his football career.

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BULLDOGS star Marcus Bontempelli took his mother Geraldine to the Brownlow to thank her for supporting his football career.

Marcus told Confidential on the red carpet: “It’s a proud moment for me to be invited and it’s great I’m able to bring mum along as a massive thank you for the work that she and dad have put in over the years.”

Geraldine said: “I feel like I’m the child today, and he’s the parent bringing me along. I couldn’t be prouder of him.

“(Attending the Brownlow) is something I really didn’t have on my bucket list, but I’m so pleased to be here, and seeing all the other ladies outfits, and being with my son.”

Marcus Bontempelli and his mum, Geraldine. Picture: AAP

As the Bulldogs prepare for a Grand Final showdown against the Sydney Swans this weekend, Marcus said: “It’s exciting to be a part of the build up. We know there’s a massive task ahead of us, but it’s good to relax a tiny bit (at the Brownlow) before we ramp up.”

Bontempelli said his game preparation will be “pretty basic. I keep everything normal. We know the game is a grand final, so I want to keep everything simple.”

Bulldogs vice president Susan Alberti, who attended the Brownlow with Women’s AFL Magpies star Moana Hope, said she appreciated Victorian footy supporters rallying behind Footscray.

“We are the underdogs, We’ve always have been the underdogs,” Alberti told Confidential.

“But we are going to win. I know we are. That said, I’m enjoying every moment.”

She added: “It’s great to have ‘Mo’ with me tonight, even though she’s Collingwood. We’re good friends.”