Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli has closed the gap in the 2026 AFLCA Champion Player of the Year leaderboard. 

Following a five-vote effort against Fremantle, Bontempelli remains in third place overall, but is now only nine votes away from leader Nick Daicos (50 total votes). 

Bontempelli finished the night with 33 disposals, six clearances, 630 metres gained and two goals.

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AFL R8 | Brilliant Bont gets Dogs barking

Marcus Bontempelli launches a super goal from distance as the Western Bulldogs keep on coming

Defender Bailey Dale polled three votes for his performance, which included 32 disposals, seven marks, nine rebound 50s and five tackles.

They were the only two Bulldogs to be recognised by coaches Luke Beveridge and Justin Longmuir. 

Western Bulldogs v Fremantle

10 Shai Bolton (FRE)
8 Luke Jackson (FRE)
5 Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
3 Hayden Young (FRE)
3 Bailey Dale (WB)
1 Josh Treacy (FRE)

LEADERBOARD

50 Nick Daicos (COLL)
48 Zak Butters (PORT)
41 Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
37 Max Holmes (GEEL)
37 Christian Petracca (GCFC)
35 Shai Bolton (FRE)
35 Luke Jackson (FRE)
34 Brodie Grundy (SYD)
33 Jai Newcombe (HAW)
32 Callum Wilkie (STK)
31 Max Gawn (MELB)
31 Isaac Heeney (SYD)
31 Kysaiah Pickett (MELB)