The Bont has been a fantasy footy favourite since breaking out in 2015. Last season he found another gear, can he go even better in 2020?
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Marcus Bontempelli
Age: 24
Club: Western Bulldogs
Position: Midfield
2019 Highest Score:
139 Vs Brisbane (AFLFantasy)
166 Vs Brisbane (SuperCoach)
2019 Average:
104.6 (AFLFantasy)
114.7 (SuperCoach)
SuperCoach Price: $623,000
AFLFantasy Price: $777,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $706,500
WHY IS HE RELEVANT?
Ever since breaking out in the 2015 season, Marcus Bontempelli has been featured in many of our sides.
Over the past four seasons, Bont has always been relevant but hasn’t been able to consistently score the big numbers that have forced him into our sides as a genuine topline premium.
Between 2015-2018 his AFLFantasy/DreamTeam averages offered minimal deviation. During those four seasons, he averaged 92, 98, 100 and 92. Similarly in SuperCoach, it’s an average of 102, 107, 105 & 104. If you look in-depth in these seasons, you’ll see that when he’s allowed to play predominantly as a midfielder, he’s capable of averaging over long stretches in AFLFantasy 110+ and 120+ in SuperCoach.
Historically, Bontempelli has been viewed more as a SuperCoach option than other formats. That has merits given his game style is rewarded more in that scoring style. However, last year he proved to be not just a healthy SuperCoach option but a reasonable premium option in all formats.
It was a personal best year from Marcus. He rated elite in the league for clearances, contested & uncontested possessions, disposals, inside ’50s and goal assists.
Last season in SuperCoach he ended the season ranked sixth overall for total points and tenth in terms of averages. Only Jackson Macrae, Josh Dunkley and Lachie Neale scored more points than him that are midfield eligible From 22 games he averaged 114, had thirteen scores of 100, nine of those tons were above 12, and an insane five went 140+.
Across AFLFantasy/DreamTeam he ranked thirteenth for overall points scored and averaged more than Patrick Cripps, Stephen Coniglio and Dayne Zorko. He averaged 114, had thirteen scores over 100, and six of those were above 120. Just like in SuperCoach, his AFLFantasy/DreamTeam ceiling is matched with his consistently strong scoring basement. Only twice all season did he scoring drop below 80.
MY TAKE
One of the previous reasons for not starting him was due to the inconsistency of his role. Marcus was often required as a marking forward. Last year, this wasn’t as prevalent with the then continued development of Aaron Naughton, Josh Scache and even Sam Lloyd meant he wasn’t forced to play inside forward 50. It should be further enhanced in 2020 with the inclusion of Josh Bruce. In means, it should Bont have forward minutes it will be more about resting their star midfielder rather than needing an additional forward target.
In addition to a high scoring frequency of hundreds, healthy basement and ceiling is that he rarely misses a game. The durable midfielder has missed only three games in the previous four seasons. The reason for the miss of games was he got his appendix removed. History suggests that he’s a strong candidate to play every game in 2020.
The biggest concern over previous years, and even entering into the new season is around his role. Luke Beveridge has been known to love versatility in his players, and it can often see their roles change in-game as well as for weeks on end. Generally speaking, when the Bulldogs are winning they rarely make significant role changes. So if you’re bullish on the Dogs having a strong year, then potentially he’s a good fit for your side. In terms of new ‘additions’ to their core midfield group it’s only Libba that
The other variable coaches must consider is how you view him through the lenses of the different midfield premiums on his bye round. In round fourteen, we have plenty of popular options. Including Josh Kelly, Tim Taranto, Stephen Coniglio, Tom Mitchell, Rory Sloane, Brad Crouch, Matt Crouch and his teammates in Jack Macrae and Josh Dunkley. That’s a list of some of the most popular and high scoring midfielders available to us in 2020.
One consideration to factor in is that with so many useful options from that multi bye round week, his ownership percentage could be very low come the first lockout. Should it be in the single figures, he might be the perfect point of difference for your side.
If you’re not starting him, he certainly needs to be a player that’s tracked as a potential upgrade target. It looks good for another year for the Bont and his owners.
DRAFT DECISION
If I was playing a SuperCoach format than Bont will be going in a draft as someones likely #1 midfielder. While he may not be a lock for the first round, I can’t see a world where he slides beyond the second.
In AFLFantasy/DreamTeam he’ll be available a few rounds later as he’s more of an M2 selection. That would mean he’s likely to in most draft around the fourth round.
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