Eltham junior and top 20 draft prospect Marcus Bontempelli was profiled by AFL.com.au ahead of the 2013 National Draft.
Bontempelli is a tall midfielder who can move almost anywhere on the ground, including through key position spots or even on the wing. After getting a taste of things last year at the Northern Knights, Bontempelli’s athleticism took the eye and he was added to the AIS-AFL Academy squad.
The 192cm prospect had a quiet NAB AFL Under-18 Championships for Vic Metro, but did finish off well against Vic Country in the final game, gathering 21 disposals and nine handball receives. That shows how Bontempelli plays: he links things up. The cousin of star midfielder Nick Dal Santo, Bontempelli took confidence from that final game of the national carnival into the back end of the season for the Northern Knights.
Bontempelli is one of the youngest players in the draft, a late developer who won’t turn 18 until after his name is called out (on November 24). It means he still has considerable improvement left in him.
STRENGTHS
Height and endurance are two of Bontempelli’s key components. Bontempelli ran a 14.7 in the beep test at the NAB AFL Draft Combine and having that capacity as a big, smooth-moving midfielder forms part of his repertoire. He can jump and take a mark, and is also a solid kick on both feet. The thing about Bontempelli at this stage of his football life is that when he is on song, he is so hard to beat, because he complements his leap and run with his frame and can turn a game.
WEAKNESSES
Given his height and size, Bontempelli will most likely end up an inside midfielder, which means there is still improvements to be made in his contested ball winning. When he does come to terms with his build, he will look to be more powerful with it, and could work on his burst speed.
PLAYS LIKE
Bontempelli is a unique sort of player so it is difficult to liken him to anyone in the AFL. Occasionally he picks the ball up from the ground at top pace and then runs off a bit like Brisbane Lion and Gold Coast’s Jared Brennan used to, and can play as that rangey type of midfielder.
DRAFT RANGE
A first-round selection. A harder one to read because some clubs have him as a very early pick and others see him closer to No.15.
BOTTOM LINE
The club which picks Bontempelli will not be looking at the player it gets for next season, it will be excited about the player it may have in a few years when all his components come together. Huge raw potential.
THE LATEST
Collingwood in line to swoop on Knights’ duo Marcus Bontempelli and Ben Lennon. 
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