Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli has closed the gap between he and current AFLCA Champion Player of the Year leader Clayton Oliver.

Bontempelli earned seven votes from coaches Luke Beveridge and Ben Rutten in the loss to Essendon, registering 34 disposals, nine clearances, 10 inside 50s and a goal.

He now sits just three votes behind Oliver, and six clear of third-placed Sun Touk Miller with two rounds remaining.

Ball-magnet Jack Macrae was the only other Bulldog to poll, receiving two votes after collecting 37 possessions, nine clearances and seven inside 50s.

Essendon’s Peter Wright, Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish and Sam Draper rounded out the voting.

Voting for rounds 22 and 23 will not be released until the overall winner is crowned after the end of the home and away season.

Western Bulldogs v Essendon

10 – Peter Wright (ESS)

7 – Marcus Bontempelli (WB)

7 – Zach Merrett (ESS)

3 – Darcy Parish (ESS)

2 – Jack Macrae (WB)

1 – Sam Draper (ESS)

2021 AFLCA Champion Player of the Year leaderboard

104 – Clayton Oliver (MELB)

101 – Marcus Bontempelli (WB)

95 – Touk Miller (GCFC)

91 – Ollie Wines (PORT)

90 – Samuel Walsh (CARL)

85 – Jack Steele (STK)

84 – Zach Merrett (ESS)

76 – Christian Petracca (MELB)

73 – Darcy Parish (ESS)

64 – Rory Laird (ADEL)