Marcus Bontempelli has labelled consistency as his biggest aim for season 2016, as the dynamic midfielder enters his third year in the AFL system.

Despite being named the AFL Coaches Association’s Best Young Player in 2015, Bontempelli knows there’s plenty of work ahead of him.

“Improvement’s the key for most players, especially coming off the back of last year.

“Ultimately consistency if I had to put it down to anything.

“I think I’m finding where I’m best playing my game… I think now it’s being able to put that together week in week out.

“It’s probably one of the hardest things to do as a player so (I’m) looking forward to exploring that having a consistent year.”

While Bulldogs faithful would say the 20-year-old had no such trouble in his first two seasons, it’s widely-known Bontempelli is not easily satisfied.

He has achieved several individual accolades in his first two seasons, including a third placing at the Club’s Sutton Medal this year, but Bontempelli says he’s learning each year.

“Last season was a bit more of a learning curve for me.

“I came in my first year and as most first year players probably go about it they don’t get looked at twice.

“There was a little bit more attention in the season just gone but I feel like the games that I played in where I really had to battle have taught me quite a bit and I’m in good stead if I have to deal with it again next season.”

With improved on-field performances comes added attention and Bontempelli says he’s the simple way to overcome it is to focus on his own game – and making improvements wherever possible.

“I’ve probably worked out a little bit now how to make it a little bit easier on myself and ways to go about winning the ball on the inside but then growing on the outside.

“Even more specifically up forward, I’d love to grow my game to the point where I can switch between two positions relatively easily and for me to be a well-rounded player I think that’s where I’ve got to get to.”

Bontempelli will be well-supported by those around him, as he says the whole Club is focused on improvement this summer – both physically and strategically.

“We have to assess where the game’s changing and be ahead of the curve in that sense with how we plan and aim to train.

“For us it’s improvement across the board.”

If the midfielder’s individual aspirations don’t delight Bulldogs fans, his parting message will.

“We’ll hopefully still be as daring and exciting as we were this season just gone.”