Milking cows, bonfires, fish and chips, Marcus Bontempelli on escaping ‘the grind’

“EMBRACE the grind.” Marcus Bontempelli didn’t understand at the time but has come to appreciate the need to escape the footy bubble since his rise to stardom.

Marcus Bontempelli in action against Collingwood. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“EMBRACE the grind.”

Those were the words left ringing in my ears as Daniel Giansiracusa delivered his final speech as a Western Bulldogs player.

At the time I couldn’t quite grasp the gist of his meaning, for I’d just finished a year of numerous ‘firsts’, which contained a youthful excitement from start to end.

But I’ve started to recognise the grind and therefore the need for balance, to counteract the grind, and allow mind and body to release.

COACH’S VIEW: BEVO LAMENTS DOGS’ LACK FOR FORM

PAUL ROOS: “JOHANNISEN NOT A $800,000 PLAYER”

JON RALPH: BULLDOGS PLAYING LIKE A SECOND-RATE TEAM

Last week during our mid-season bye I accompanied Easton Wood back to the country town of Camperdown where he grew up and spent a few days living a life I’d never experienced.

We worked on his mate’s dairy farm for a day, kicking it off with a 5am milking and then sat around a bonfire eating fish and chips.

There was also some shooting clay disks off the back decking.

It was the perfect environment to switch off from all the typical football “noise” that occupies your mind normally.

Marcus Bontempelli speaks about getting away from the football grind.

That balance that I’d been searching for had been found.

And what it also told me was that I needed to continue to search for small releases on a more regular basis.

There’s no manual you’re handed when you get drafted.

For most players walking into an AFL club it’s an environment which is completely new and you’re unaware of the hidden challenges which will confront you regarding form, self-belief and attention.

So as a young person with only teenage experiences in your arsenal it can be a lot to take in.

If you’re lucky like I was some things may still stay the same.

I spent my first two years commuting from my home in Eltham, and although my workplace was new (it was my first real job, washing cars in the school holidays hardly counts!) I had the comfort of knowing not everything was changing.

I still came home to something I knew and it makes me a tad nervous to think about how my life might have been had the cards fallen differently.

Brisbane youngster Josh Schache. Picture: Peter Wallis

Bulldogs assistant coach Daniel Giansiracusa. Picture: Michael Klein

That’s why I feel for Josh Schache and any other player that considers moving in order to regain a sense of normality amid the mountain of change that occurs.

It’s a great boost to Brisbane that he decided to stay because there is no doubt football clubs do their best to surround young players with the support and guidance they desire.

Physically I think I was ready for the AFL. It’s something I’d trained for since I was a kid and was clearly boosted by being a part of closely linked AFL programs such as the TAC Cup and the AIS Academy.

I even spent a week at Essendon as part of the scholarship which gave an insight into the physical rigours of the game.

But what has been a surprise — and it’s something I’m still getting used to — is the emotional and mental elements associated with my career.

Add that to the physical component and for a teenager starting out it’s something that is totally new and presents a different element of fatigue.

No-one can prepare you for that but with the right things in place it can go a long way to help minimising the effects.

What I’ve quickly been able to learn is that a career in football presents more than just two hours of a weekend.

Marcus Bontempelli in action for Vic Metro during the under-18 championships. Picture: AFL Media

You’re faced with challenges those of a similar age wouldn’t be aware of as you’re held accountable to a higher standard and expected to mature and grow under the watchful eye of the media and a nation of sporting lovers.

Does this then mean that we raise the draft age to allow players to develop more life experience?

Will that have them better prepared for the world of AFL?

Maybe it would but I wouldn’t change it.

I loved coming into the game at 18 years old, it exposed me to all that was good about a football club. That is something I value and you always continue to learn.

As ‘Gia’ told us, it’s a grind but what makes the grind all worth it is the people who grind it out with you.

I know that footy is helping me to develop a collection of my own experiences that will become a catalogue of references for today, tomorrow and after football ceases.

During all the learning of skills and application to a task which the AFL demands, it’s as much a test of your football ability as it is a journey of self discovery.

And it takes you to some unexpected places ... like milking cows in Camperdown.