Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli insists contract negations for a new deal to stay at Whitten Oval are in a good spot despite revealing that it's currently not a priority for him at this point in the year.
The 29-year-old signed a four-year extension back in 2021 that expires at the end of the year. Despite traditionally taking his time to commit to the club, the Dogs superstar told reporters that he was "confident and comfortable" with where things were sitting off-field and was more focused on field matters.
"For me in my own journey, especially coming off last year, it was a real lock-in on the summer period," he said on Wednesday.
"We bowed out prematurely from what we wanted to... Even for me and in my previous contract negotiations, I've always taken my time with them, and I think that's just because my priorities just change at this time of year.
"They become definitely more focussed on performance, getting the group in the best shape that we can be to start the season.
"To say I haven't put any thought into it isn't probably right, but it's just not right at the top of my list of things I want to focus on at the minute, Tommy (manager Tom Petroro), and I will continue to work through the conversations as we go."
The Dogs are gearing up to face Essendon in their first practice match for 2025 on Saturday, welcoming fans back to Whitten Oval for a Men's game since the reconstruction of the Charles Sutton Stand.
Bontempelli says his focus is fairly and squarely on the team and how they are shaping up to tackle season 2025 after an elimination final exit last year at the hands of Hawthorn.
"My mentality at the minute is to prepare for the first proper scratchie (practice match) on the weekend and have the guys ready to go for that, and then I will continue to asses those things as I feel the need to," he said.
"It hasn't even really come to fruition (in my mind) as far as saying something like that, it's been more priority basis and how we want to start the football season and even from my perspective, how do we want to prepare for the year.
"Not worried about at all. As you know, (I have) a long relationship between me and the football club, it's in a good spot at the minute."
With negotiations expected to once again drag into the season, Bontempelli maintained that the decision wouldn't be a distraction.
"I'm pretty confident and comfortable in my state of play at the minute."
The Bulldogs have endured a rocky pre-season, with the club dealt not only several injury setbacks to key players but also managing the absence of rising star forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
The 22-year-old has been on a flexible training program with the club as he continues to deal with complex personal issues.
He did not attend the club's pre-season camp in Noosa last week but has reportedly accepted an invitation to take up a non-playing role with the Indigenous All Stars squad when they take on Fremantle in Perth this weekend.
Bontempelli shared an update on his teammate's progress and said that the pair had been in contact but didn't put any timeline or expectations on him to return quickly.
"It's focussed on his health and wellbeing, and the performance aspect definitely comes second," he said.
"He's continuing to work in the same model as he has for the past few weeks, and we try to support him the best way that we can.
"Football being the second most important thing, his health and wellbeing being the priority."
"I don't want him to feel the pressure at all from the football club or from my position, which can naturally just happen... I just want him to feel like he is being supported the best he can.
"He's continuing to build through the current program he's in at the minute, and we all just want the best for him."
