For a second year player, Marcus Bontempelli has reached some astounding highs.

The midfielder capped off a remarkable second season in the AFL, taking home the Gary Dempsey medal in the Club’s best and fairest count.

Finishing third behind winner Easton Wood and captain Bob Murphy, at just 19, Bontempelli is in elite company.

“It’s something that surprised me a little bit but nonetheless it was an incredible honour to receive and a great finish to the night which I wasn’t expecting.”

Bontempelli impressed in his debut season, finishing second in the AFL Rising Star award, but in 2015 he bettered that output.

Finishing in the AFLPA best 22 under 22 team, and being named the AFLCA best young player, Bontempelli took his game to a new level.

He soared into the AFL Player Ratings top 20, the youngest player in the top 100, and the young Dog attributes it to his strong desire to get the best out of himself.

“Kingy (Steven King) mentioned that I’m a bit of a player in a hurry to get to my best as soon as possible.

“He’s right in the way that I’m eager to take on more responsibility as a player and help out as much as I can despite how young I am.

“It doesn’t faze me what challenges I have to face, I know I’ve got people, and especially the right teammates, in front and behind me to go all the way with it.”