Toast Welcome to the Temple of Bontempelli, please take off your shoes and pay your respects

[Freshwater]

The greatest Bulldog I have ever seen. Never saw EJ but I find it hard to believe he could be better than this bloke. A marvel, blessed to have been able to have seen him.
I saw Hudson, Matthews, Carey, Judd, Bartlett, Greig, Flower, Ian Stewart, Nicholls.
This bloke is in that pantheon of greatness. I’m in awe.

The goal he kicked last season between those two Fremantle giants is still one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen on a football field. It never got the recognition it deserved then, and still deserves. A privilege to have witnessed it. It was up there with Dusty’s goal in the in the 2020 Grand Final against four cats players and Bonts goal in his debut season.

 

[Zgope1]

He will finish his career with a solid goat argument. He may well set or equal the record for AA teams made and could borderline have the Blazer named after him

 

[TheScriptorWL]

He will finish his career with a solid goat argument. He may well set or equal the record for AA teams made and could borderline have the Blazer named after him

To add to this -- He's a real shot to finish his Career with the most Brownlow votes ever.

Simply Legendary.

 

[ossie_21]

To add to this -- He's a real shot to finish his Career with the most Brownlow votes ever.

Simply Legendary.

Most votes ever and no medal would be diabolical….

 

[TiAn_]

Really deserves a few more finals moments

 

[BallaratBulldog]

Most votes ever and no medal would be diabolical….

Scott West got close at the time.

 

[TheScriptorWL]

This Merret situation has got me pondering. So glad the 16' Miracle Run happened, or this club might have lost Bont at some point.

Not saying he's a Merret type. But their cultural/Influence/competitiveness are comparable. And we haven't exactly looked promising outside 21'. Yes, I do believe he bleeds the tricolours at this point and always loved the club. But it's certainly easier to ride the wave when you experienced the ultimate success at 21.

 

[Foxman98]

This Merret situation has got me pondering. So glad the 16' Miracle Run happened, or this club might have lost Bont at some point.

Not saying he's a Merret type. But their cultural/Influence/competitiveness are comparable. And we haven't exactly looked promising outside 21'. Yes, I do believe he bleeds the tricolours at this point and always loved the club. But it's certainly easier to ride the wave when you experienced the ultimate success at 21.

Not even remotely comparable,

Essendon haven't come close to contending in Merretts whole career

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Not even remotely comparable,

Essendon haven't come close to contending in Merretts whole career

And Merrett had played under several coaches. Other than for his debut season, Bont has only ever played for the one coach, whom he has an excellent relationship with.

 

[Unorth]

Obviously Bont has had a far better go of it than Merrett. Essendon, relative to their size and resources, are the worst run club of the last two decades. And that’s not even factoring in the attempt at cheating.

It is a shame that in the last 4 years, while Bont has been the clear best player in the comp, we haven’t won a final (missed them altogether twice!) and haven’t won enough games to get him a Brownlow either.

He’s deserved more deep finals runs than what he’s had in that span.

But I don’t think anyone would suggest we’ve wasted his whole career or anything. One flag and two GF appearances is more than a lot get.

Just disappointing how the last few years of his prime have played out in terms of team success or lack thereof…so far.

 

[Bulldogs85]

Hopefully gets a Brownlow next year

 

[RWnBluey]

Hopefully gets a Brownlow next year

Only 4 BOG’s off the all time record now I believe

 

[matey]

Hey just wanted to check in and let you know while walking the dog this morning I saw your captain running at the park. While many players are overseas etc ….. what a professional and great leader you guys have got on your hands

 

[Pugz89]

Hey just wanted to check in and let you know while walking the dog this morning I saw your captain running at the park. While many players are overseas etc ….. what a professional and great leader you guys have got on your hands

To be fair, every player would get an off-season program. The ones who are overseas would still be doing their program.

But yes, he's absolutely a professional and great leader.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

Getting the kms into his legs before he takes time off for his wedding.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

Having been banned from posting off-season stuff in the off-season thread, I’ll share this here. A fair proportion of the squad in attendance.

 

[TheScriptorWL]

Having been banned from posting off-season stuff in the off-season thread, I’ll share this here. A fair proportion of the squad in attendance.

View attachment 2466755

Love them all but...Lin Jong. Also praise Libba for wearing something a little bit different.

 

[BomToydd]

Having been banned from posting off-season stuff in the off-season thread, I’ll share this here. A fair proportion of the squad in attendance.

View attachment 2466755

No Macrae or Dale. Thought some others like English, Buku, Lipinski and Mclean would be there too

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

No Macrae or Dale. Thought some others like English, Buku, Lipinski and Mclean would be there too

Some may have had other plans or not been able to make the trip. Not everyone would be able to go, even if invited. Some have posted from other parts of the world, eg Lobb, Darcy, Buku (these two are holidaying somewhere cold ). Italy seems popular.

 

[Lindsay_Gilbee]

No Macrae or Dale. Thought some others like English, Buku, Lipinski and Mclean would be there too

Think a USA wedding makes it hard for some. Especially when Dale just got married himself.

 

[BomToydd]

Some may have had other plans or not been able to make the trip. Not everyone would be able to go, even if invited. Some have posted from other parts of the world, eg Lobb, Darcy, Buku (these two are holidaying somewhere cold ). Italy seems popular.

True. Overseas weddings are so dumb tbh. Bit rough on Roarke and Jong who would never have made half the amount of most of the players there
On another note how did VDM get an invite? Looks like the sort of bloke who would get on everyone's nerves
And the thought of Dunkley not being at Bont's wedding would have been unimaginable like 5 years ago

 

[HK_Bulldog]

Bailey Smith

3

Bailey Smith

Age

25

Ht

185cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.3

5star

K

8.5

3star

HB

9.8

5star

M

2.3

2star

T

3.8

5star

CL

2.7

4star

D

19.8

5star

K

9.6

4star

HB

10.2

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.2

4star

CL

3.2

4star

D

14.8

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.2

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.4

5star

CL

1.6

4star

and JUH were pretty close with Bont in the past as well.

 

[BomToydd]

Bailey Smith and JUH were pretty close with Bont in the past as well.

Crowd there probably not big enough for Smith but you just know it'd hurt his little ego not getting an invite lol

 

[Bald Headed Flog]

Crowd there probably not big enough for Smith but you just know it'd hurt his little ego not getting an invite lol

I can't imagine Smith could handle the idea of attending a wedding, given the focus is on other people

 

[Mutt]

True. Overseas weddings are so dumb tbh. Bit rough on Roarke and Jong who would never have made half the amount of most of the players there
On another note how did VDM get an invite? Looks like the sort of bloke who would get on everyone's nerves
And the thought of Dunkley not being at Bont's wedding would have been unimaginable like 5 years ago

Isn't Bont's bride from the USA? An Australian wedding would be customarily be considered an overseas wedding in that case.