Brownlow Medal contender Marcus Bontempelli crowned 2019 Coaches MVP ahead of Patrick Dangerfield
Western Bulldogs midfielder Marcus Bontempelli has been recognised as the AFL’s best player of 2019 by the league’s coaches, pipping Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield to the award.
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Western Bulldogs’ superstar Marcus Bontempelli has been crowned the best player of 2019 by footy’s most respected judges — the AFL’s senior coaches.
Capping a career-best season, the brilliant onballer polled 107 votes to pip fast-finishing Cat Patrick Dangerfield (90) and Fremantle gun Nat Fyfe (88).
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It continues the awards for Bontempelli, who also took out the Herald Sun player of the year and is fourth favourite ($7 with TAB) to win the Brownlow Medal.
Dangerfield is the $2.50 favourite for the Brownlow and flew home in the coaches’ award, polling 28 out of a possible 30 votes in the final three games.
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Bontempelli, who also won best and fairests in 2016 and 2017, took his game to new heights this season, averaging 27 razor-sharp disposals, six clearances and almost one goal a game.
“I think (the Coaches MVP has) been going for 18-20 years or so now (and) to be a part of that crew is certainly incredibly humbling,” Bontempelli said on Fox Footy.
“I have been very fortunate to be in that position and feeling proud.”
AFL Coaches’ Association chief executive Mark Brayshaw said Bontempelli rose above his peers in 2019.
“Marcus has had a magnificent season which has been recognised by the coaches and rewarded with what we believe is the most prestigious of all the individual awards in the AFL,” Brayshaw said.
“The coaches take such care in allocating their votes and have a unique perspective on what succeeds in each of the games.
“Marcus should be very proud to win this award.”
The 193cm clearance king casts a huge shadow over the finals campaign, with the Giants certain to put tagger Matt De Boer on Bontempelli to try and curb his influence in Saturday’s elimination final.
“You prepare yourself every year to hopefully improve and then be able to be a more influential player on a more consistent basis,” Bontempelli said.
“I think I was fortunate to come in and play a role early on in my career, which was great because I got to witness everything in my first year and just build myself, hopefully a really strong foundation.”
Geelong’s Tim Kelly, who did not poll a vote in the final two rounds, finished fourth on 86 votes, ahead of Carlton juggernaut Patrick Cripps and Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy (82).
There was also great recognition for some of Bontempelli’s midfield teammates with prime movers Jack Macrae (75) and Josh Dunkley (72) finishing ninth and 10th.
Richmond jet Dustin Martin surged home, polling 23 votes in the last three games to finish equal 11th alongside North tough nut Ben Cunnington.
Three of the past 10 winners in the AFLCA award have also taken out the Brownlow Medal in the same year — Martin (2017), Dangerfield (2016) and Gary Ablett Jr (2009).
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The coaches’ voting from the last two rounds was kept hidden until Tuesday night, revealing Bontempelli polled six votes in the Round 22 win over GWS Giants and eight votes in the last-round triumph over Adelaide.
The coaches voted Richmond’s Nick Vlastuin the best player ahead of Brisbane onballer Lachie Neale despite the Lion’s 51-possession haul on Sunday.
Damien Hardwick will consider putting hard nut Jack Graham on Neale in their return bout at the Gabba next Saturday night.
Retired Hawthorn veteran Jarryd Roughead polled nine votes, the same as teammate James Worpel, for his six-goal bag in his fairytale farewell in Round 22.