An American sports journalist has drawn criticism from Australian football fans for his public comments about Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli. Grant Cohn, a reporter for Sports Illustrated who covers the San Francisco 49ers, made the remarks while visiting Melbourne ahead of an NFL game.
Cohn, speaking on a social media video after an appearance on Channel Nine's Today show, voiced his negative assessment of Bontempelli, a highly regarded player in the Australian Football League (AFL). "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?" Cohn stated.
His comments came after the Western Bulldogs' elimination final loss to the Adelaide Crows. Cohn questioned Bontempelli's performance in the match, despite the midfielder recording 27 disposals. He focused on a single behind kicked by Bontempelli, stating, "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."
Cohn then drew a comparison to NFL quarterback Justin Herbert, who has faced criticism for his team's lack of playoff success despite individual talent. "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," Cohn said. Herbert has a record of being winless in three NFL playoff appearances, including a notable game where his team surrendered a 27-0 lead.
Australian fans quickly responded to Cohn's remarks online. Many expressed their displeasure, with some suggesting he should be deported and others calling his assessment "stupid ragebait." Some defended Bontempelli's performance, noting that 27 disposals is a respectable game, and highlighted the player's general popularity even among rival supporters.
Cohn's visit to Melbourne is related to the upcoming NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, marking the first NFL regular-season game to be played in Australia.