A NEW hard edge to Bulldog Marcus Bontempelli's rapidly improving game has pleasantly "surprised" his coach Luke Beveridge.
In just his third season in the AFL, Bontempelli has grown as a player amid an injury crisis that has robbed the Dogs of experience and talent at different times of the year.
In the absence of injured leaders Bob Murphy and Easton Wood, the midfielder became the game's youngest ever captain when he led the Dogs out against the Eagles in round eleven at just 20 years and 194 days.
While a best on ground performance against the Eagles showed the responsibility didn't daunt him, physically roughing up Geelong skipper Joel Selwood in round 19 displayed a newfound aggression.
Beveridge told Channel Seven the 2016 All Australian's forthright approach on and off the field makes him an even better footballer.
"I think (Marcus) really tries to force himself on the contest, impose himself on the game and the opposition and their thought processes," Beveridge said.
"I think he's taken his leadership hat and felt like he's needed to show the way.
"He has just led the way through actions and words this year.
"He's such a young player, so it has surprised me."
With the Bulldogs set for a semi final showdown against Hawthorn on Friday night, Beveridge has played down any advantage his side will have over the Hawks due to the two seasons he spent at Waverley as an assistant coach under Alastair Clarkson.
Beveridge is yet to taste victory against his old mentor, with the Hawks winning both games the clubs have played in his two seasons at the helm of the Dogs.
"The way we see them play and set up these days is very different to when I was there two years ago," Beveridge said.
"I know sometimes the way he thinks about the opposition and you think about your own team and the conversations that might be taking place in their match committee.
"I know they'll be treating us with respect and working out ways to get under our skin, but I don't think it helps a great deal especially because they have changed so much."
