Footy fans stunned as Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli rises from his sick bed to kick one of the most insane goals you will ever see
Skipper had been sick all week Had missed training and was in doubt for the clash Came out and delivered a masterclass
There was no stopping inspirational Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Montempelli as he overcame sickness to snap one of the sharpest goals under pressure you will see in AFL footy.
Coach Luke Beveridge had backed skipper Marcus Bontempelli to overcome illness to front up in the Western Bulldogs' clash with Fremantle after the 28-year-old had missed the entire week of training.
'He has been ill,' Beveridge said on Friday.
'He was crook a couple of weeks ago, too. That was before the Collingwood game, actually, and he came out and played an extremely influential game.
'He hasn't trained with the group this week. He comes in today - it's a pretty early game tomorrow so we'll hardly do anything at our captain's run.
'He's had a different preparation, and as you're aware and as you can understand with him, it'll take something pretty significant to stop him from playing.
'Hopefully he's not affected by it too much.'
The Bulldogs ace was not only not affected, but inspirational as he clocked up 15 disposals, two goals and eight score involvements before halftime.
That included his insane second goal, beating three defenders to snap a major that left some of the game's greatest stunned.
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![Bontempelli escaped the attention of three Fremantle defenders to kick a massive goal for the Bulldogs on Saturday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/15/06/86151133-13532929-image-a-1_1718428836475.jpg)
Bontempelli escaped the attention of three Fremantle defenders to kick a massive goal for the Bulldogs on Saturday
![The goal came after the Bulldogs skipper had been sick all week and had missed training](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/15/06/86151135-13532929-image-a-2_1718428859147.jpg)
The goal came after the Bulldogs skipper had been sick all week and had missed training
'Surely not,' Brisbane Lions champion Jonathan Brown said.
Bontempelli put on the step, swerved his around all three defenders and slotted the goal to give the Bulldogs a healthy halftime advantage.
'How good is the Bont? He is the best, of the best, of the best.'
Garry Lyon was also shell-shocked in commentary.
'Not only did he have three to beat, one of them was the captain in Alex Pearce and he is as good as any defender, you've got Luke Ryan down there joining in and [Karl] Worner comes in, have a look, three [defenders],' he said in commentary.
'Not enough, you need the whole team there,' Brown replied.
'That's unbelievable,' Lyon continued.
'To mark it first of all to halve the contest, then refused to give up the ground ball and then kicked a goal.
'I know straight up after this we're going to celebrate another modern great in Dusty [Martin].
'But right now, just enjoy the fact you're watching one of his peers and contemporaries do his stuff at the highest level.'
Fans were quick to take to social media to praise Bontempelli as well.
'I don't care what anyone says, Marcus Bontempelli is the greatest Bulldog ever,' one posted.
'Marcus Bontempelli is just a freak!!! How lucky @westernbulldogs are to have such a player lead their team,' added another.
;Wow. Bontempelli. Simply incredible. He may be an opposition player but you can't help but admire him,' posted another.