In a surprising turn of events this week, Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli stepped into a Perth cafe to purchase a coffee for his arch nemesis, Toby Greene. This gesture marks a significant shift in their long-standing rivalry, highlighting the transformative power of the AFL Origin series.
From On-Field Clashes to Coffee Conversations
The animosity between Bontempelli and Greene dates back years, with a particularly fiery incident during the 2019 AFL elimination final at its core. In that match, Greene was seen tugging at Bontempelli's hair and appeared to engage in an eye-gouging attempt during a scuffle. The GWS skipper narrowly avoided suspension, receiving only a fine, but the bad blood between the two players has persisted ever since.
Their strained relationship is set to be explored in the upcoming four-part docuseries, Final Siren: Inside the AFL, premiering on Prime Video later this month. A recently released sneak peek features Bontempelli describing Greene as "an antagonist" who is always in the thick of any on-field scrap, a trait he admits taking personally. When questioned about his rapport with Bontempelli, Greene laughed and bluntly stated, "I would never have a beer with him."
Clearing the Air Ahead of Team Unity
However, the dynamics have shifted dramatically as both players prepare to line up as teammates for Victoria in the AFL Origin matches. Bontempelli revealed that Greene reached out to him after the clip aired to clarify his comments, claiming they had been twisted or misconstrued. This communication allowed them to clear the air before spending a week together in Perth.
"He followed up quite quickly after it, which was great," Bontempelli said on Friday. "(He said) that his words had been sort of somewhat twisted or misconstrued, and that's not accurate to what he said. And that was obviously good because it allowed us to clear the air a little bit before then spending a good week together."
The coffee purchase by Bontempelli served as a symbolic gesture of their improved relationship. "I even had to buy him a coffee the other day," he noted. "So that was probably a sign of how far things have come in our relationship."
The Broader Impact of AFL Origin
As Victoria's captain, Bontempelli emphasized how the Origin experience fosters camaraderie among players who are typically rivals during the regular season. He explained that it helps break down the walls built up over years of competition, allowing for deeper connections off the field.
"What this experience does is allow you to probably break down some of those walls that you have up, probably throughout the season or just over history," Bontempelli stated. "So like with Toby and the rest of the boys that I don't really know all that well off the field, that's been an awesome experience."
He also highlighted the importance placed on this aspect by chairman of selectors Garry Lyon, who is parochial about the opportunity for players to mix and bond beyond the game itself. "There's not just a game to play, but the opportunity to mix and spend time with other players who you only really know a little bit," Bontempelli added. "It has been really valuable."
This story underscores how AFL Origin is reshaping player relationships, turning fierce adversaries into collaborative teammates, all while adding a new layer of intrigue to the sport's narrative.
