By Scott Spits
The Western Bulldogs have suffered a massive blow on the eve of the season, losing captain and star player Marcus Bontempelli for six weeks with a calf injury.
Scans have revealed that Bontempelli has sustained a complex calf injury in Thursday’s practice match against Hawthorn, the club said.
Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli.Credit: Getty Images
The 29-year-old came off the field during the first quarter against the Hawks due to tightness in the muscle, with scans on Friday revealing the extent of the damage.
“While the club was optimistic of a positive result overnight, scans have revealed a complex injury with tendon involvement,” said Chris Bell, the Bulldogs’ head of sports medicine.
“Unfortunately, the structures involved with this particular injury are prone to having recurrent issues, so we will need to follow a conservative management timeline to give Marcus the best chance of a successful season.”
Bontempelli’s injury is a massive blow for the Bulldogs, who are considered a strong chance to play finals again in 2025 after losing last year’s elimination final to Hawthorn.
The top-shelf talent on the sidelines for the Dogs includes Adam Treloar (calf), Cody Weightman (knee) and defender Liam Jones (hamstring). Young star and former No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is also unavailable for personal reasons. Laitham Vandermeer is also expected to enter concussion protocols after copping a heavy hit against Hawthorn.
The Dogs clash with North Melbourne in round one on March 15.
Bontempelli has been a picture of consistency over his 240-game, 11-season career, rarely sidelined with injury or illness.
In the past four seasons, he has played 26, 22, 23 and 24 matches respectively. Further, in the club’s famous drought-breaking 2016 premiership year, the then young star played 26 matches.
His calf injury will completely reshape predictions for the Brownlow Medal, the prized individual AFL award that Bontempelli is yet to win but regularly features close to the top of the leaderboard.
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