Marcus Bontempelli torched Essendon’s defence for 22 disposals in a single half on Sunday night, as the Western Bulldogs turned the Bombers over repeatedly in a 35-point thrashing at Marvel Stadium.

The Dogs skipper’s influence stretched beyond the ball-winning, with a goal and an assist to his name inside the first 20 minutes of the second quarter. His dominance sparked fresh debate about Essendon’s defensive strategy and the future of coach Brad Scott.

What happened?

The Bulldogs led by 35 points at half-time, with Bontempelli already on 18 disposals just minutes into the second stanza. His 22-disposal half was the most he’s ever racked up in a single half of AFL football, per Channel 7’s broadcast.

Bontempelli later told reporters the opposition’s willingness to give him space suited the open conditions at Marvel Stadium. “Sometimes it’s nice to have that freedom,” he said. “The roof being open made it a bit more traditional. We’ll see if there’s a change, but hopefully not.”

Why it matters for Marcus Bontempelli

Bontempelli’s performance reignited Brownlow Medal chatter, with the 30-year-old now two-time runner-up. A win this season would make him the oldest first-time winner since Nathan Buckley, and only the second over-30 champion in the past decade.

His ability to exploit Essendon’s defensive lapses underlined the Bulldogs’ premiership credentials. Commentators Kane Cornes and Hamish McLachlan seized on Essendon’s failure to tag Bontempelli, with Cornes labelling it a “baffling” decision.

“At what point do you go, ‘You know what? He’s probably the best player in the competition — just someone for five minutes go play alongside him’,” Cornes said on air. “You relish that as a player, as Darcy Parish. ‘Oh, I get to go play on Bontempelli for five minutes.’ Love it.”

Coaching storm brews as Bulldogs expose Essendon’s flaws

Brad Scott’s position came under fire after another Dogs’ attack cut through Essendon’s midfield. Cornes argued Scott’s best move was leaving the box for the bench, where he could “communicate with his players” and “yell out” instructions.

“For Brad right now, the best place he can be is on the interchange bench,” Cornes said. “He can actually show some emotion, he can be demanding, they can hear his voice.”

The Bombers’ turnover from a diagonal kick to the 50m arc led to another Dogs’ goal, prompting Cornes to declare: “That is exactly where they want Perkins to kick the ball. And you cannot accept that as the coach of this footy club — they make you pay and rightly so.”

What comes next?

The Bulldogs’ rampant form keeps premiership hopes alive, while Essendon’s slump deepens under Scott. Cornes’ call for Scott to move to the bench reflects growing frustration among pundits and fans alike.

Bontempelli’s next outing will be scrutinised for signs of fatigue or further Brownlow momentum. The Dogs, meanwhile, will push for finals contention with their star midfielder leading the charge.

Match date: Sunday, 13 July 2025
Score: Western Bulldogs 12.12 (84) def. Essendon 5.7 (37)