IN A WHIRLWIND start to his AFL career, Marcus Bontempelli has attracted comparisons with some of the biggest names in the history of the game. 

The 2016 Western Bulldogs premiership hero's meteoric rise to superstar status has prompted some to ponder whether he is the best 20-year-old of all time.

To assist the discussion, we've compiled a shortlist of 14 players who were champions at 20. It's not a definitive list, but it's comprised entirely of Australian Football Hall of Famers, and almost entirely of official Legends, including icons such as Jack Dyer, John Coleman, Ted Whitten, Ron Barassi, Leigh Matthews and Tony Lockett. 

Before their 21st birthdays many had won club best and fairests, and eight had claimed Brownlow Medals – Geelong's Edward 'Carji' Greeves, Collingwood's Albert 'Leeter' Collier, Fitzroy's Haydn Bunton and Denis 'Dinny' Ryan, Essendon's Dick Reynolds and Gavin Wanganeen, South Melbourne's Bob Skilton and Melbourne's Brian Wilson – while West Coast's Chris Judd and Brisbane's Michael Voss had both barely turned 21 when they took 'Charlie' home.

So 'The Bont' has fierce competition.

Before we take a closer look at some other terrific 20s, let's re-cap Bontempelli's remarkable achievements. 

In just his third AFL season since the Bulldogs snaffled the former Northern Knights under-18s star with pick No.4 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, the tall midfielder enjoyed a 2016 season that has already entered Bulldog folklore.

After finishing third in the Dogs' best and fairest last year at 19, Bontempelli won the club award in a premiership year - something of a gold standard for footballers. And he did it easily, receiving 319 votes while his nearest teammate Dale Morris managed 248, as the youngster helped pilot the Dogs to their first flag in 62 years.

The precocious left-footer, who was also selected in the All Australian team for the first time, was the youngest club champion in a premiership team since Leigh Matthews' effort at Hawthorn in 1971. 

Youngest best and fairest winners in premiership years

• Age measured to Grand Final day.

• Since 1988, Richmond has listed Jack Dyer as its 1932 best and fairest winner (when he was just 18 years and 320 days), but exhaustive research by historian Rhett Bartlett and MCC assistant librarian Trevor Ruddell has failed to reveal any evidence of this accolade. 

Regardless of how Bontempelli measures up among the top 20-year-olds in history, he seems destined for similar greatness, which he'd no doubt take in his smooth stride. 

TERRIFIC 20-YEAR-OLDS 

Peter Burns

DOB: January 5, 1866

Career: South Melbourne 1885-1891 (VFA), Geelong 1892-96 (VFA) & 1897-1902 (VFL)

At 20 he was … arguably the biggest name in the game. The previous year, as a 19-year-old in 1885, he'd left Ballarat Imperial to join South Melbourne, which he immediately lifted to a premiership team, prompting The Australasian to hail him as the player of the season.

He became … 'Peter The Great' – the code's first superstar, its first 300-gamer and one of the greatest players of the game's first 50 years. Won four VFA flags with South and was the first captain of a VFL representative team.

Dick Lee

DOB: March 19, 1889

Career: Collingwood 1906-1922

At 20 he was … the best sharpshooter in the VFL, having topped the League goalkicking table in three successive seasons to draw within just 20 goals of the all-time goals record.

He became … a goalkicking legend. A longtime holder of the League's goals (707) record, the three-time premiership player led the competition goalkicking a record eight times (10 if we include finals) and was later inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Bob Pratt

DOB: August 31, 1912

Career: South Melbourne 1930-39 & 1946

At 20 he was … the most spectacular high-marking forward in the competition. Kicked 71 goals in 17 games in 1932 and, before his 21st birthday the following season, had piled on 85 in 13 games en route to his first century and a premiership.

He became … a record-breaking goalkicker and an official Legend. Amassed three successive, League-topping centuries, including what remains a record of 150 in 1934, matched by only Hawthorn's Peter Hudson in 1971.

Haydn Bunton

DOB: July 5, 1911

Career: Fitzroy 1931-37 & 1942, Subiaco 1938-41, Port Adelaide 1945

At 20 he was … captain and well on the way to his second Brownlow Medal in just his second season. The seemingly unstoppable rover also represented Victoria in both seasons, averaging 31.5 kicks and 10.5 marks in two games.

He became … the only man to win three Brownlow and three Sandover Medals, and would later achieve Legend status and a place in the AFL's Team of the Century. 

Jack Dyer

DOB: November 15, 1913

Career: Richmond 1931-49

At 20 he was … already one of the most explosive and feared players in the competition. At 18, the ruckman/forward played just 10 games but received the equal-most Brownlow Medal votes for his team (equal-fifth overall) in the premiership year of 1932, and represented Victoria. If not for injury that year, he'd have played in Grand Finals in each of his first four seasons.

He became … the famed 'Captain Blood'. Played a then-record 312 games, was a long-term captain-coach/coach, won two flags and an equal club-record five best and fairests (see table above), was selected in the AFL's Team of the Century, became a Legend in the Australian Football Hall of Fame and was also a footy media megastar.

Jack Dyer, seen here at the MCG in 1999, has few equals in Richmond folklore. Picture: AFL Photos

Dick Reynolds

DOB: June 20, 1915

Career: Essendon 1933-51

At 20 he was … one of the VFL's best rovers, finishing equal-seventh in the Brownlow Medal in his debut season at 18, winning the medal the next year, finishing equal-fifth in his third season and in 1936 was on his way to another top-10 placing along with a second club best and fairest.

He became … known as 'King Richard', played a then-League record of 320 games, won three Brownlows and an equal club record of seven best and fairests, captain-coached/coached the Bombers to 12 Grand Finals for four premierships, and earned Legend status and a spot in the AFL's Team of the Century.

Des Fothergill

DOB: July 15, 1920

Career: Collingwood 1937-40 and 1945-47

At 20 he was … a Brownlow medallist and a three-time club best and fairest winner, twice in teams that finished runner-up. In the 1938 finals series, the powerhouse rover/forward tallied 6.1 from 28 kicks in a semi-final, 5.0 from 26 kicks in the preliminary final, and eventual premier Carlton was relieved to keep him to 20 kicks and 4.3 in the Grand Final.

He became … a shock defector to VFA club Williamstown on a lucrative deal, later returning to the Pies where he continued to star from 1945-47, topping the League goalkicking in 1946. Selected in Collingwood's Team of the Century and was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. 

John Coleman

DOB: November 23, 1928

Career: Essendon 1949-54

At 20 he was … and remains the only player to kick 100 goals in his first season. The high-leaping spearhead bagged a record 12 goals on debut and was a key to Essendon's premiership side that season.

He became … one of the most magical players in history, and the full-forward in the AFL's Team of the Century. The official Legend booted 537 goals in just 98 games, winning two flags and leading the League goalkicking in each of his five completed seasons, before a knee injury ended his career at 25. Later coached the Bombers to two premierships. 

On top of his goalkicking feats, John Coleman coached the Dons to a pair of flags. Picture: AFL Photos

Ted Whitten

DOB: July 27, 1933

Career: Footscray 1951-70

At 20 he was … A dynamic centre half-back who would soon be voted club champion in the Bulldogs' first premiership year. Had been their best finals player the previous season.

He became … 'Mr Football' - one of the game's greatest players and ambassadors. A true utility who could play in any key position, Whitten played a then League record 321 games, won a then equal club record five best and fairests, and was recognised with official Legend status and selection in the AFL's Team of the Century. 

Ron Barassi

DOB: February 27, 1936

Career: Melbourne 1953-64, Carlton 1965-69

At 20 he was … a unique player later described as the game's first ruck-rover. Provided a point of difference that helped Melbourne make the 1954 Grand Final and win the next two flags before he turned 21.

He became … Footy's most iconic figure. An official Legend, an AFL Team of the Century member, he won six premierships (two as captain) and two best and fairests before sensationally joining Carlton as captain-coach and leading the Blues to two flags. Later took North Melbourne to its first two premierships.

Tony Lockett and Ron Barassi were brought together for a brief time at the Swans. Picture: AFL Photos

Bob Skilton

DOB: November 8, 1938

Career: South Melbourne 1956-71

At 20 he was … a brilliant, courageous rover who'd won a Brownlow Medal, two club best and fairests, a club goalkicking award (with 60) and six Victorian selections.

He became … a three-time Brownlow medallist and the winner of a record nine club best and fairests. An official Legend who selected in the AFL's Team of the Century. Also coached the Swans and Melbourne.

Kevin Bartlett

DOB: March 6, 1947

Career: Richmond 1965-83

At 20 he was … a flyweight rover who won a best and fairest in the Tigers' premiership year of 1967 after averaging 20.7 kicks and slotting three goals in the Grand Final against Geelong.

He became … the first player to reach 400 games (403 to be precise), along with an official Legend, a five-time best and fairest, five-time premiership player and Norm Smith medallist, who finished second and third in the Brownlow Medal. Also coached Richmond.

Kevin Bartlett's coaching stint at Richmond didn't come close to his playing feats. Picture: AFL Photos

Leigh Matthews

DOB: March 1, 1952

Career: Hawthorn 1969-85

At 20 he was … a pocket battleship who'd won back-to-back best and fairests, the first of which was in the Hawks' premiership year of 1971. Averaged 20 kicks and two goals a game in this period and also represented Victoria in both years.

He became … 'Lethal' Leigh - arguably the greatest player of all time. An official Legend who was selected in the AFL's Team of the Century after a career that encompassed 332 games, 915 goals, eight best and fairests, four flags, a Coleman Medal and six club goalkicking awards. A four-time premiership coach with Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions. 

Tony Lockett

DOB: March 9, 1966

Career: St Kilda 1983-94, Sydney 1995-99 & 2002

At 20 he was … already a hulking presence and the most promising young forward in the competition after goal tallies of 77, 79 and 60 in St Kilda's wooden-spoon teams from 1984-86. Had also represented Victoria.

He became … the AFL's greatest goalkicker with 1360, including six centuries. A six-time Coleman medallist and three-time best and fairest winner, he won the 1987 Brownlow Medal at 21 and was later elevated to Legend status.

Michael Voss

DOB: July 7, 1975

Career: Brisbane 1992-2006

By the age of 20 he'd … become a brilliant midfield battering ram. The mature redhead was on track to tie for the 1996 Brownlow Medal and claim his second successive club best and fairest.

He'd eventually … be an inspirational triple premiership captain, five-time best and fairest winner, five-time All Australian (twice as skipper), dual AFL Players' Association MVP and Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee. Also coached the Lions from 2009-13.

Chris Judd

DOB: September 8, 1983

Career: West Coast 2002-07, Carlton 2008-15

By the age of 20 he'd … produced a brilliant 2004 season with the Eagles that would be rewarded with a Brownlow Medal and a club best and fairest, after finishing in the top three in the two preceding years. A unique contested-ball beast who burst clear of congestion with scintillating pace and evasion.

He'd eventually … become the only player to achieve captaincy, Brownlows, best and fairests, AFL Players' Association MVPs and All Australian selections (six in total) at two clubs. Won a second Brownlow at Carlton and ended up with five club best and fairests. Captained the Eagles to the 2006 premiership, a year after being the Norm Smith medallist in a losing team.