The Western Bulldogs have urgently addressed the condition of star player Marcus Bontempelli following his early withdrawal from a practice match due to calf issues. Initially described as “low-level calf tightness,” the injury has now been reclassified as “complex,” involving tendon damage.
In a statement, Chris Bell, the Bulldogs’ head of sports medicine, expressed disappointment about the unexpected severity revealed in overnight scans. He noted, “Unfortunately, the structures involved in this particular injury often lead to recurring problems, so we will need to adopt a conservative approach in managing Marcus’s recovery to optimise his chances for a successful season.”
As it stands, Bontempelli is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of six weeks, with the season opener set for March 15 against the Kangaroos. His injury significantly impacts the Bulldogs as they prepare for the upcoming matches. Just before his injury, Bontempelli had expressed optimism about his fitness during a victorious match against Hawthorn, where the Bulldogs clinched an 11-point win.
In that game, the Bulldogs displayed a strong performance, with Tom Liberatore standing out with 31 disposals and nine clearances. Additionally, forward Sam Darcy made an impression with a spectacular catch and a trio of goals. Lachlan McNeil and Aaron Naughton also added to the score with four and three goals, respectively. For Hawthorn, James Worpel was notable, providing 28 disposals, ten clearances, and a goal during the game.
As the Bulldogs navigate this challenging setback before their first competitive match, Bontempelli’s recovery will be closely monitored to ensure he returns to peak condition.