Not many footballers have the dream debut season of the likes Marcus Bontempelli had in 2014, and the Dogs midfielder hasn’t be one to rest on his laurels preparing for the new year ahead.

After a breakout first season in the AFL, where he finished runner-up by one vote in the NAB AFL Rising Star to Brisbane’s Lewis Taylor – the closest margin in the award’s history - and took home the AFLPA Best First Year Player award, Bontempelli is hungry to continue his rapid rise in 2015.

“[I] set a good starting block I guess to work from so hopefully I can keep building on it and I guess share the load and responsibility a bit this year.”

The 19-year-old is part of a core group of young Dogs that will be a key to the Club’s on-field future and Bontempelli says it’s important the young playing group steps up to the challenge.

“We’ve got quite a young team and (hopefully we can) really take the load off some of the older blokes who have been carrying the weight for a year or two.”

Bontempelli, who spent much of 2014 in the midfield, at 192 centimetres also has the potential to play forward and has been working closely with new coach Luke Beveridge to find his best position.

“Bevo’s been one I’ve been keen to speak to a little to work out how I best might be able to play under him I guess.

“It’s just sort of getting to know Bevo and getting to know how he wants the team to play.”