Marcus Bontempelli enters 2025 as either the AFL’s premier player, or at the absolute least, one of the top three in the game.
As of early February, Bontempelli also is an unrestricted free agent, and has no contract for 2026 or the subsequent years.
Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli.Credit: Getty Images
This should not be the source of anxiety among the Bulldog breed. Unless there is a catastrophe at Whitten Oval, he will sign a forthcoming “Bontract” and commit himself to the club into his 30s, remaining a one-club legend.
But even if the odds of Bontempelli leaving are less than one in 100 – one club’s list manager reckoned the odds are closer to zero – the Bontract will still be hugely important for club and code.
Bontempelli can command virtually whatever he likes. The question for the Bont isn’t what can he get from the Bulldogs; rather, it’s what is he willing to accept?
In the event that Bontempelli was willing to test the market – the equivalent of contacting a real estate agent just to get a valuation on one’s home (without intending to sell) – he would find that there are clubs that would be willing to break the $2 million barrier over at least four years.
Now, those clubs mightn’t be the ones the best players are rushing to join. But consider what Bontempelli would be worth to say, St Kilda, North Melbourne or even Essendon, which paid Ben McKay – a B-grade tall back – close to $5 million over six years. What would Collingwood fork out given that a raft of veterans will be exiting? Ditto Geelong. Should Chad Warner leave for Perth, what would the Swans dangle?
If the reported numbers offered to Carlton’s Tom de Koning are accurate, the Saints wouldn’t hesitate to go past $2 m for the Bontract.
The salary cap has increased to $17.7 million this year – close to $19m counting the additional service agreements, or ASAs, the club marketing/sponsor payments. This will increase to $18.29m (nearly $19.6m with ASA) in 2026 and $18.44m ($19.7m) in 2027.
When Bontempelli signed only a four-year contract in 2021, rival clubs – and the odd journalist – were scratching their scalps: Why did he sign only for four when he easily could’ve obtained a guaranteed eight years?
By accident or design, the impact of Bont signing for the shorter term has been a) to hold the Bulldogs football department to account (note that Peter Jackson’s review during 2023 brought a shake-up); and, b) to put himself in a stronger bargaining position from 2025 because the salary cap is hurtling towards $20 million.
The salary cap rise would have been factored in by his seasoned manager, Tom Petroro (TGI Sport), although the cap jump is offset by the fact that Bont will be 30 at the end of this year (late November). He can remain super at 30, 31 and 32. After that, the club should budget for some decline.
The Bontract will establish a template for younger superstars, such as Harley Reid, Nick Daicos and possibly Sam Darcy at the Doggies. If Bontempelli insisted on say $1.5m times five, it’s difficult to see the Bulldogs not ceding, however reluctantly, to his request.
Should they be in the premiership window over that period, as they ought to be, he will have to consider the impact of his deal on the rest of the list and the flow-on effects. Darcy, fortunately, has been contracted for four years.
Bontempelli leads the Bulldogs out in Ballarat last season.Credit: Getty Images
No one at the Western Bulldogs has as much clout, or could be as influential within the walls, as Bontempelli. Club sources – clearly not speaking for the record – reckon he told the club hierarchy that they should retain Luke Beveridge as senior coach during 2021.
Beveridge went on to coax the Dogs to the grand final in 2021, so the coach was secure as Reserve Bank currency then anyway. This year, however, Beveridge’s position is highly uncertain, given he’s had 10 years and is coming out of contract. Results will likely shape the outcome.
Bontempelli has been a Bevo-backer, from what I can gather, as his captain and champion.
It would be surprising, although entirely defensible, if Bontempelli tied his contract negotiations to the club’s decision on the coach, when it could well be a vexed call. In this age, players often wish to know who’s coaching before they commit.
The Bont has what we might call reserve powers at Whitten Oval. They are powers that a leading player can exercise if he wishes. Matthew Scarlett, a highly forthright character, was known as “the Senator” at Geelong, because nothing could get passed without his consent. The Bont has that power, not that inclination.
Should Bontempelli stay true to form, he will quietly sign a new deal with the club, without soliciting any offers from elsewhere.
As when he plants his imposing 194 cm frame over the footy, the Bont is nigh impossible to shift. That will not stop clubs from asking the question, though, if only to make mischief.
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