Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli says he was humbled to be named the coaches’ player of 2019.

Bontempelli won the 2019 Shadforth Financial Group AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year with 107 votes, from fellow AFL stars Patrick Dangerfield (90) and Nat Fyfe (88).

“When you consider the thought and the process that goes into it, and previous winners… to be part of that crew is certainly humbling,” Bontempelli told AFL 360 on Tuesday night. 

“I’m fortunate to be in this position and feel incredibly proud.” 

The AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year is voted on by the 18 club coaching panels on a 5,4,3,2,1 basis after each home and away game, acknowledging outstanding effort to an individual player in a season. 

At just 23 years of age, Bontempelli’s collection of awards is already impressive.

In six seasons at AFL level, the midfield maestro is a premiership player, dual Club best and fairest and an All Australian.

He may yet add another All Australian honour to his name on Wednesday night, after being named in this year’s initial squad of 40. 

“You prepare yourself every year to hopefully improve, and be able to be a more influential player on a more consistent basis,” Bontempelli said. 

“I was fortunate to come in and play a role early on in my career which was great, because I got to witness everything in my first year.

“I’ve been very fortunate that the coaches I’ve had around me have supported me incredibly well to help me get to the position I have this early in my career. 

“The key thing has obviously been just about playing consistent football on a regular basis.”