Marcus Bontempelli has signed a four-year, $5.4 million deal at the Western Bulldogs but he could’ve earned millions more elsewhere
A six-time All-Australian, Bontempelli’s four-year contract extension will take him through until the end of 2029 when he will be aged 34.
Confirmation of his contract comes after he was, on Monday night, named the second-greatest ever Bulldog, behind only EJ “Ted” Whitten, at the club’s centenary celebration.
“He’s all ours,” the club declared on social media on Tuesday morning, with a picture of Bontempelli and his signature.
In a club statement, Bontempelli said re-signing was an important decision to “spend the right amount of time on”.
“I’ve had a few different things happening – getting married in the off-season, opening a small coffee shop out in Kew – but ultimately it is no different to how I’ve dealt with other things in the past,” he said.
“This club means so much to me, it’s hard to put it into a few words to be honest.
“It is where I have grown as a man and spent all of my adult years, coming here at 18. When I think about the person I want to become it has been influenced by the people I have spent a lot of time with at the Western Bulldogs.”
Bulldogs executive manager of men’s football Sam Power said the club was pleased to secure Bontempelli for another four seasons.
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“Marcus has not only become a generational player for the Western Bulldogs but one of, if not the, most influential players in the competition.
“His leadership and influence over our group and wider club is phenomenal, continually setting the standard on and off the field, always striving to get the best out of players and staff.”
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