Essendon's Bontempelli Tagging Debate Ignites After Bulldogs Mauling
Essendon have been heavily criticised for allowing Western Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli to roam freely without a dedicated tag during another early-season thrashing. This has sparked an intense and seemingly unwinnable debate over whether Bombers coach Brad Scott should be positioned in the coaching box or on the interchange bench to better influence his struggling team.
Bontempelli's Dominant Display
Marcus Bontempelli accumulated his 18th disposal just minutes into the second quarter on Sunday night, with the Bulldogs already leading by a commanding 35 points. The Bulldogs captain was effortlessly finding targets across the ground, also contributing a goal and an assist to his impressive personal tally.
"At what point do you go 'you know what, he's the best player in the comp probably — just someone for five minutes go play alongside him'," remarked Kane Cornes during the Channel 7 broadcast. "You relish that as a player, as Darcy Parish. 'Oh I get to go play on Bontempelli for five minutes'. Love it." Hamish McLachlan added, "You'll learn some stuff."
After Bontempelli secured his 22nd disposal—the highest he has ever recorded in a single half of football throughout his career—Cornes suggested that Archie Perkins should be assigned the brief five-minute tagging role. "He's a first-round pick but he's been frustrating, he plays a difficult role across half-forward," Cornes explained. "Why not say 'Archie, five minutes, Bont's had 20, go shut him out of the game'."
Brownlow Medal Speculation Intensifies
Bontempelli's precision spearing kicks earlier in the match immediately reignited discussions about his Brownlow Medal prospects. The 30-year-old midfielder has finished as runner-up twice, in 2023 and 2021, without securing the ultimate prize. If he manages to win the award this season, he would join Nathan Buckley as one of the oldest first-time recipients in the history of the prestigious medal.
Coaching Position Debate Rages On
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs' continued on-field domination led Kane Cornes to argue that the struggling Essendon side would benefit significantly from Brad Scott's physical presence on the interchange bench. "Brad Scott looks frustrated and seemingly without answers," called Hamish McLachlan following yet another Bulldogs attacking surge.
Cornes elaborated on his viewpoint, stating that while he generally supports coaches remaining in the box for optimal strategic oversight, Essendon's current predicament demands a different approach. "You see the game better, you've got access to all the numbers you need," he acknowledged. "But for Brad right now the best place he can be is on the interchange bench. He can actually communicate with his players, he can show some emotion, he can be demanding, he can yell out, they can hear his voice, they can see him."
Brian Taylor played devil's advocate by highlighting the inconsistent expectations placed on coaches. "But people are saying with (Carlton coach) Michael Voss they want him in the box, so you can't win." Cornes countered, "Different group for different situation, this is a young group, I think they could do with him on the bench."
As if to underscore his argument, Brad Scott was captured on camera moments later throwing his hands up in exasperation within the coaching box. This occurred immediately after the Bombers turned the ball over from a diagonal kick directed towards the top of the 50-metre arc, conceding yet another goal to the Bulldogs.
"That is exactly where they (the Dogs) want Perkins to kick the ball," Cornes observed critically. "And you cannot accept that as the coach of this footy club — they make you pay and rightly so."
