The legend of Marcus Bontempelli continues to reach new heights after the Bulldogs skipper claimed a sixth Charles Sutton Medal at Crown on Wednesday night.

Already considered one of the best to pull on the red, white and blue, the 28-year-old polled 314 votes to run away with the Club’s coveted award ahead of joint runners-up Adam Treloar and Bailey Dale (245).

Across 2024, Bontempelli earned All-Australian selection for a sixth time and was named captain of the side, while also capturing the Leigh Matthews Trophy for the Players MVP and being voted Best Captain by his peers.

With a sixth best and fairest gong, Bontempelli equals Bulldogs royalty Gary Dempsey and is now just one behind Scott West’s club-record total of seven Charles Sutton Medals.

Bontempelli played every game in a superb 2024 campaign, averaging 26 touches, seven clearances and five tackles for each outing while kicking a career-best 32 goals.

Adam Treloar’s career-best season was rewarded with a second-place finish in the same year he earned his first All-Australian blazer, averaging a competition-high 32 disposals per game in season 2024.

The 31-year-old polled 26 votes in last week’s Brownlow Medal to solidify his place as one of the game’s elite midfielders.

Equal to Treloar in the best-and-fairest voting was half-back Bailey Dale. The 28-year-old played a starring role in defence with an average of 25 touches and 500 metres gained per match in performances that saw him nominated in the All-Australian squad.

Liam Jones finished fourth on 203 votes, despite missing several weeks due to a knee injury, with a crucial positional switch to midfield allowing Ed Richards to round out the top five with 188 votes.

Bontempelli continued his winning ways by claiming the John Van Groningen Coolum Ninderry Award voted by the players and coaches, while Liam Jones won a second straight Most Courageous Award.

Youngster Joel Freijah was adjudged the Chris Grant Best First Year Player, as Rory Lobb scooped the Brad Johnson Best Team Player and Best in Finals Award.

After crossing from Hawthorn ahead of this season, defender Lachlan Bramble claimed the Tony Liberatore Most Improved Player. 

Charles Sutton Medal Top 10:

1. Marcus Bontempelli (314 votes)

2. Adam Treloar and Bailey Dale (245)

4. Liam Jones (203)

5. Ed Richards (188)

6. Tom Liberatore (170)

7. Lachlan Bramble (168)

8. Rory Lobb (163)

9. Bailey Williams (161)

10. Taylor Duryea (152)

Other award winners:

Chris Grant Best First Year Player:  Joel Freijah
Tony Liberatore Most Improved Player:  Lachlan Bramble
Brad Johnson Best Team Player:  Rory Lobb
John Van Groningen Coolum Ninderry Award:  Marcus Bontempelli
Scott West Most Courageous Award:  Liam Jones
Locker Group Award:  Ed Richards
Footscray VFL Best and Fairest:  Cooper Craig-Peters
John Schultz Community Award:  Tom Liberatore
VU Education Award: Jack Macrae