Western Bulldogs star midfielder Marcus Bontempelli has stormed into the lead in the 2019 Shadforth Financial Group AFL Coaches Champion Player Award after 20 rounds.
Despite being in the losing Bulldogs team against the Brisbane Lions on Sunday, Bontempelli scored nine of a possible 10 votes from coaches Luke Beveridge and Chris Fagan.
The 23-year-old kicked a goal and racked up 35 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances, five inside 50s, five rebound 50s and five score assists in a brilliant individual game.
BONTEMPELLI: 'WE'LL CONTINUE TO STRIVE FOR OUR BEST'
The performance took him to 88 votes for the season, two clear of Geelong’s Tim Kelly, with three rounds remaining.
Bontempelli is the only player in the competition to have polled AFL coaches votes in 13 games so far in 2019. Kelly and Fremantle’s Nat Fyfe have polled in 12 games.
MACRAE’S NEW BALL-WINNING HIGH
ROUND 20 VOTES – BRISBANE v WESTERN BULLDOGS
9 - Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
7 - Mitch Robinson (BL)
6 - Charlie Cameron (BL)
6 - Jack Macrae (WB)
1 - Josh Dunkley (WB)
1 - Jarrod Berry (BL)
LEADERBOARD AFTER 20 ROUNDS
88 - Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
86 - Tim Kelly (GEEL)
78 - Patrick Cripps (CARL)
73 - Nat Fyfe (FRE)
73 - Lachie Neale (BL)
68 - Brodie Grundy (COLL)
67 - Travis Boak (PORT)
67 - Luke Shuey (WCE)
65 - Ben Cunnington (NMFC)
62 - Patrick Dangerfield (GEEL)
