An American sports journalist has ignited a firestorm of criticism from Australian football fans following his dismissive remarks about Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli. Grant Cohn, a reporter for Sports Illustrated who primarily covers the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, made the controversial comments after observing the Bulldogs’ recent AFL elimination final loss to the Adelaide Crows.
Criticism Emerges During NFL Visit
Cohn is currently in Australia as part of the lead-up to the historic NFL clash between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams, scheduled to take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. However, his attention turned to the Australian Football League (AFL) and one of its most prominent figures, Marcus Bontempelli, before the NFL teams had even taken the field.
During an appearance on Channel Nine’s ‘Today’ show, Cohn was asked what he disliked about Australia. He used the opportunity to voice his criticisms, focusing on the widespread admiration for Bontempelli. “You know what they didn’t ask? What I don’t like about Australia,” Cohn stated in a video shared on social media. “If they had, I would have said Marcus Bontempelli. Man, ever since I’ve got to Australia, all I hear is Bontempelli this, Bontempelli that. Watch out for the Bont. The Bont’s the goat. Does it get any better than Marcus Bontempelli?”
Questioning Bontempelli’s Finals Performance
Cohn then specifically questioned Bontempelli’s performance in the Bulldogs’ 22-point elimination final defeat against the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval. The midfielder, a highly decorated player, recorded 27 disposals in the match, despite facing close attention from Crows tagger Daniel Curtin. While Bontempelli attempted to rally his team in the final quarter, Adelaide ultimately secured the victory with a strong finish.
The American journalist expressed his lack of impression, highlighting a single behind kicked by Bontempelli. “Well, hey, maybe that was true in the past, but since I’ve been here, I watched him play,” Cohn remarked. “Adelaide, what do you do? What do you do against Adelaide? He lost. Kicked one, had one shot. What you call that? A behind. It was a behind. It wasn’t even through the uprights. It was through the other uprights, and I’m supposed to be impressed by the Bont.”
Comparison to NFL Quarterback Justin Herbert
Cohn drew a parallel between Bontempelli and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, a highly talented NFL player who has yet to achieve a playoff victory. Herbert’s postseason record includes a winless streak across three appearances, with notable struggles in touchdown-to-interception ratios and a significant blown lead in a previous playoff game.
“You want to be called the Bont? Why don’t you beat Adelaide? You know what I mean?” Cohn challenged. “You want to be in the same breath as Tom Papley and Patrick Dangerfield, Bailey Smith? Do something when it counts, or are you a regular season champ? I want to see who shows up in the finals, and you know who didn’t? The Bont. Okay, it seems to me that he’s essentially the Justin Herbert of AFL players, and if you don’t know what I’m talking about, look it up, Aussies. Not impressed.”
Fan Backlash and Defense of Bontempelli
Cohn’s remarks were met with swift and strong condemnation from Australian football supporters. Many took to social media to express their disbelief and anger.
- One fan suggested Cohn’s comments warranted deportation, stating, “You’ve been great Grant but this should lead to you being deported. No one disses the Bont!”
- Another described the assessment as “stupid ragebait.”
- A third commenter humorously remarked that Cohn was “carrying on like a pork chop.”
- Defending Bontempelli’s performance, one fan noted, “Not a Dogs fan but 27 disposals is a solid game. The Bont is probably one of the most universally liked players even among oppo fans.”
- A supporter who follows both the Western Bulldogs and the Chargers acknowledged the comparison, saying, “As a Western Bulldogs and LA Chargers fan I know exactly what you’re talking about.”
Some fans suggested Cohn should focus on other aspects of Australian culture, with one recommending he visit Arthur’s Milk Bar, a cafe co-owned by Bontempelli, to review its offerings.
Context of the NFL Match in Australia
Cohn’s visit coincides with preparations for the NFL game between the 49ers and the Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This event marks a significant moment, being the first NFL regular-season fixture to be held in Australia. The Rams are designated as the home team for the match, despite undertaking a considerable journey to reach Melbourne.
The commentary from Cohn underscores the cultural differences and potential for misunderstanding when sports figures from different codes and countries engage with unfamiliar sporting landscapes. While the NFL prepares for its Australian debut, the debate surrounding Bontempelli’s standing in the AFL continues to resonate with passionate fans.
