Victoria captain Marcus Bontempelli has moved to downplay suggestions of an ongoing feud with teammate Toby Greene, stating that the pair have buried the hatchet ahead of Saturday night's highly anticipated AFL Origin clash. The star duo, who have been central figures in the heated rivalry between the Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney in recent years, are set to line up together for the first time in this marquee event.
Historical tensions and recent clarifications
The relationship between Bontempelli and Greene has been under scrutiny for nearly a decade, highlighted by a notorious incident during the 2019 elimination final. In that match, Greene famously escaped suspension despite appearing to rake his hand around Bontempelli's eyes during a melee, fueling perceptions of a bitter on-field enmity. These tensions were reignited last week when a trailer for the AFL's upcoming documentary series, Final Siren, featured Greene responding to a question about getting along with Bontempelli by saying he would "never have a beer with him."
Clearing the air before AFL Origin
In response, Bontempelli initially remarked that there was "not really" any current ill-feeling between them, though his coach Chris Scott humorously interjected to suggest he meant "not really, but a little bit." Bontempelli later revealed that Greene had reached out after the trailer's release to clarify that his words had been misconstrued, helping to ease tensions before their week of preparation together. "That was obviously good, because it allowed us to clear the air a little bit before spending a good week together," Bontempelli said.
He added a light-hearted note about their improved rapport, stating, "I had to buy him a coffee the other day. That was probably a sign of how far things have come in our relationship." This gesture underscores a shift from their competitive past to a more collaborative dynamic as teammates in the AFL Origin match.
Building camaraderie off the field
Bontempelli emphasized the value of the AFL Origin experience in fostering connections among players who typically only know each other as opponents. He explained, "What this experience does is allows you to break down some of those walls that you have up . . . like 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." This sentiment was echoed by chairman of selectors Garry Lyon, who has been parochial about the opportunity for players to mix and build relationships beyond the game.
Bontempelli concluded by highlighting the broader benefits of this camaraderie, saying, "Gaz was quite parochial about that experience, that 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. (That) has been really valuable, so hopefully you'll see more of that on the field on Saturday." This focus on teamwork and mutual respect is expected to enhance their performance in the upcoming clash, as both players look to translate their off-field understanding into on-field synergy.
