Marcus Bontempelli wins 10 votes again in AFL coaches' poll

Marcus Bontempelli has again topped the coaches' poll, this time with a perfect 10 votes in the Western Bulldogs' Round 19 win over the Gold Coast Suns on 18 June.

What happened in Round 19?

Bontempelli racked up 23 disposals, five clearances and three goals against the Suns, leading the Bulldogs to a 21-point victory. The skipper’s impact wasn’t just in the numbers-his leadership and contested ball wins kept the Dogs in front when it mattered most. Coaches’ votes are handed out after every match, and Bontempelli’s haul was his fourth maximum-score performance of the season.

Why it matters for Marcus Bontempelli

At 98 votes, Bontempelli sits 17 behind ladder-leader Nick Daicos in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year race. The gap is sizeable, but Bontempelli’s consistency keeps his hopes alive. He’s now the only Bulldog in the top three, with teammates Bailey Williams (six votes) and Matthew Kennedy (one) also polling. The coaches’ votes are a strong indicator of form, and Bontempelli’s recent purple patches suggest he’s peaking at the right time.

How the coaches see the race

The latest leaderboard shows Daicos leading with 115 votes, followed by Bontempelli on 98 and Luke Jackson (76) in third. Max Gawn (75) and Isaac Heeney (74) round out the top five, with Bontempelli the only Bulldog in the mix. The coaches’ votes don’t decide the award outright, but they’re a key barometer of who’s stood out week-to-week.

What’s next for the Bulldogs?

The Dogs have two weeks to regroup before their next match, with Bontempelli’s form a major asset. If he can maintain this level, he’ll keep the pressure on Daicos and the rest of the field. The AFLCA award isn’t decided until the season’s end, but Bontempelli’s recent dominance means he’ll be in the conversation until the final siren.