Bont unanimously named Dogs leader

NEW Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli is determined to leave a legacy as skipper at Whitten Oval after being unanimously voted in by his peers to succeed Easton Wood.

The only player on the Bulldogs list to not vote for Bontempelli was himself after Wood told the playing group on Monday he would be stepping down from the captaincy role.

Bontempelli voted for Lachie Hunter, who has been installed as vice-captain.

“That just speaks to how I view myself but also I wouldn’t put myself before the team in any way. It’s something that I probably never would do,” Bontempelli said. “To know that he (Hunter) is sitting here next to me is a great feeling too because that’s how I viewed him as a footballer and a person. I know that we’ll be able to work really closely and well together.”

Yesterday’s announcement came just 16 days after Bontempelli celebrated his 24th birthday, but the threetime club best-and-fairest winner said he felt as ready as ever for the role after serving as vice-captain the past two years.

“Hopefully (I can be) someone who leads the team the way they need to be lead, a caring and empathetic one but someone who can hopefully influence the game and others in a positive way,” Bontempelli said.

“Ultimately we talk a lot about legacy as football players and wanting to leave the jumper and the football club in a better place. That’s what I want to do.”

Wood remains in a sixman leadership group which also includes Josh Dunkley, Jason Johannisen and Mitch Wallis but said it was the “right time” for him to make way for Bontempelli.