Marcus Bontempelli.

In the current day, when you think about the Western Bulldogs, almost the first thing that pops into anyone’s head is the superstar number four.

As we’ve heard all week, the accolades speak for themselves; four-time Charles Sutton Medallist, four-time All Australian, and a premiership player, amongst several other coveted awards.

The scary part, he is only 27.

All things being equal, we’ve got a lot more time ahead to sit on our couches and watch this left-footer go about his business in red, white and blue - and that should excite fans just as much.

He speaks well, he’s a leader and he’s a damn good footballer, but it’s the Marcus Bontempelli inside the four walls that speaks volumes just as much.

His preparation is meticulous, he guides young players through different phases of their careers and he leads from the front.

Go to any training session with fans in attendance, he’ll stop each and every time. Doesn’t matter if he’s in a rush or leaving Skinner Reserve, he makes time for everyone.

Watch the team run out each week if you’re at a game. Normally there is a junior mascot living out their dream by running onto the field with the Bulldogs. The first person that makes them feel at ease? Marcus Bontempelli.

Often, you’ll see massive lines of people waiting for photos at open sessions, he’ll be the last one to get on the bus back to the hotel.

Yes, he’s a star of our game but above all else he sets the example of an elite athlete and all the expectations that come with it.

This weekend the entire football community will celebrate ‘The Bont’s’ 200^th game. He’s missed six game since 2015, a crazy stat that sums up the professionalism, durability and hunger to succeed.

Everyone will have a different favourite Bont memory.

The Preliminary Final in 2016 sums up Bont the footballer.

Nine minutes left in a tight high-pressure final. Future Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen bursts from the half-back line and kicks to grass.

Bontempelli, oozing class in a massive moment, taps the ball ahead, re-gathers, steadies from 35m and slots the goal. Advantage Dogs.

In a lot of ways, the Club never looked back from there.

Bontempelli spoke to the media this week ahead of game 200 and was asked a simple question:

“What’s still driving you now?”

His answer: “It’s the team success element – when you consider the club’s history it would be amazing to add another cup to the trophy cabinet.”

Team success has always been on the top of his CV, regardless of the accolades he collects across the journey.

The 27-year-old finished with this; “play each game as though every one is your last. Let’s make something happen as soon as we can.”

If Bont is playing every game like his last, it’s a scary proposition for the AFL in years to come.