You could say you know you’ve officially ‘made it’ if you have a song dedicated to you.
Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli has many accolades to show for his tremendous career so far in the red, white and blue, but until last week, no official ode on the music charts had been forthcoming.
That all changed when ‘The Bont’ arrived on Spotify – a country rock tune collaboration between Ella J and 10 High Fly.
Bulldogs fans might be familiar with Ella J – she’s the daughter of Club legend Brad Johnson, and a seriously talented singer/songwriter making her way on the scene.
How did this all come about, you ask?
The song’s origins can be traced to a segment on footy songs, which was being examined on the K Rock breakfast show with Tom and Loggy. Discussion ebbed and flowed on that day, and eventually the on-air talent – Brad Johnson included – began to talk about Bontempelli’s influential 2021 season for the Dogs.
In a flash, an idea emerged. Brad was set the challenge to come up with a tune about the Bulldogs’ number four!
As we already know, Brad didn’t have to go too far for inspiration. Soon, Ella had worked closely with local Ocean Grove band 10 High Fly to come up with the track.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
For his part, Bontempelli was as humble as ever when he heard the news.
“I love that she’s chasing her passion. She’s got a great voice,” he told Bob Murphy and Easton Wood on this week’s Barkly Street podcast.
“It’s just one of those cool things you’re lucky to be a part of as a footballer.
“I’m hoping it goes well for her sake, for sure.”
