Bulldog4life
06-12-2015, 11:11 AM
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-12-06/bontempelli-striving-for-consistency-ahead-of-third-season
MARCUS Bontempelli has established himself as one of football's most exciting youngsters in his first two AFL seasons, but the Western Bulldogs midfielder still believes he can perform more consistently in 2016.
Bontempelli won the AFL Coaches Association's best young player award this year and finished third in the Bulldogs' best and fairest count after averaging 21 possessions and five clearances a game.
It was an outstanding season, but the 192cm midfielder, who did not turn 20 until last week, is eyeing bigger and better achievements next season.
"Improvement's the key for most players, especially coming off the back of last year," Bontempelli told the Bulldogs' website.
"Ultimately consistency (is my pre-season focus) if I had to put it down to anything.
"I think I'm finding where I'm best playing my game … I think now it's being able to put that together week in week out.
"It's probably one of the hardest things to do as a player so (I'm) looking forward to exploring that (and) having a consistent year."
Despite the apparent ease with which he has taken to AFL football, Bontempelli has had to adjust to increased opposition attention and is planning for more of the same in 2016.
"Last season was a bit more of a learning curve for me. I came in my first year and, as most first-year players probably go about it, they don't get looked at twice," he said.
"There was a little bit more attention in the season just gone, but I feel like the games that I played in where I really had to battle have taught me quite a bit and I'm in good stead if I have to deal with it again next season.
"I've probably worked out a little bit now how to make it a little bit easier on myself and ways to go about winning the ball on the inside, but then growing on the outside.
"Even more specifically up forward, I'd love to grow my game to the point where I can switch between two positions relatively easily and for me to be a well-rounded player I think that's where I’ve got to get to."
More By Nick Bowen
MARCUS Bontempelli has established himself as one of football's most exciting youngsters in his first two AFL seasons, but the Western Bulldogs midfielder still believes he can perform more consistently in 2016.
Bontempelli won the AFL Coaches Association's best young player award this year and finished third in the Bulldogs' best and fairest count after averaging 21 possessions and five clearances a game.
It was an outstanding season, but the 192cm midfielder, who did not turn 20 until last week, is eyeing bigger and better achievements next season.
"Improvement's the key for most players, especially coming off the back of last year," Bontempelli told the Bulldogs' website.
"Ultimately consistency (is my pre-season focus) if I had to put it down to anything.
"I think I'm finding where I'm best playing my game … I think now it's being able to put that together week in week out.
"It's probably one of the hardest things to do as a player so (I'm) looking forward to exploring that (and) having a consistent year."
Despite the apparent ease with which he has taken to AFL football, Bontempelli has had to adjust to increased opposition attention and is planning for more of the same in 2016.
"Last season was a bit more of a learning curve for me. I came in my first year and, as most first-year players probably go about it, they don't get looked at twice," he said.
"There was a little bit more attention in the season just gone, but I feel like the games that I played in where I really had to battle have taught me quite a bit and I'm in good stead if I have to deal with it again next season.
"I've probably worked out a little bit now how to make it a little bit easier on myself and ways to go about winning the ball on the inside, but then growing on the outside.
"Even more specifically up forward, I'd love to grow my game to the point where I can switch between two positions relatively easily and for me to be a well-rounded player I think that's where I’ve got to get to."
More By Nick Bowen