Western Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli’s sensational 2023 season has seen him finish in second place in the Brownlow Medal count.  

Bontempelli was runner-up for the second time in his career, finishing on 29 votes, just two behind dual Brownlow winner, Brisbane Lions midfielder Lachie Neale.  

His previous best finish was in 2021, when he polled 33 votes to finish three votes in arrears of Port Adelaide’s Ollie Wines. 

Bontempelli rattled home in this year’s count, snatching the lead for a brief moment with his three-vote effort against Geelong in Round 24.  

But Neale’s 30-disposal performance in the same round earned him the medal in a dramatic conclusion.  

In the eyes of the umpires, Bontempelli’s finish to the season was outstanding. He polled in six of the nine games after the Bulldogs’ bye in Round 15, amassing 15 votes in that period.  

In total he claimed votes in 12 games, and in six of those he was adjudged best afield. 

With his two votes against Essendon in Round 19, Bontempelli ticked off a milestone for polling votes against every other AFL team in the competition throughout his career.  

It was also the fourth time in his career he had amassed 20 or more Brownlow votes in a season. 

The Bulldogs had 12 players receive votes in the 2023 count, with Tom Liberatore the second-best performer for the club with 17 votes, including three best-on-ground games.  

All-Australian ruckman Tim English was the other player to reach double figures, with 11 votes. 

>>> READ OUR 2023 BROWNLOW MEDAL BLOG

2023 Brownlow Medal Top 5 

1. Lachie Neale (Brisbane) – 31 votes 
2. Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) – 29 
3. Nick Daicos (Collingwood) – 28 
4. Errol Gulden (Sydney) – 27 
4. Zak Butters (Port Adelaide) – 27