MATT Suckling knew Marcus Bontempelli was a special footballer before he joined the Western Bulldogs, but the superboot didn't expected to see a young leader in the mould of Hawthorn champion Sam Mitchell.
Bontempelli, 20, became the youngest winning captain in VFL/AFL history after being thrust into the role when acting skipper Easton Wood was withdrawn before Sunday's triumph over West Coast.
The classy midfielder led from the front with 30 disposals – 21 contested - and nine tackles, drawing praise from coach Luke Beveridge for an "outstanding" performance.
And Suckling, who played in the past two flags alongside Sam Mitchell before heading to the Whitten Oval as a free agent, has been amazed by Bontempelli's maturity.
"I was only talking about him the other day to one of my ex-teammates that I didn't really expect it from him," Suckling told SEN.
"When I walked in just before Christmas, I remember sitting in a meeting and he just started talking and I was like, 'Who is this guy?' He sounds like Sam Mitchell, who has played 250 games.
"But it was young Marcus, who was 19 at the time I think, and he's just such a level and mature head. He's got a bright future ahead.
"He's just really composed, really mature, loves his footy and loves the Western Bulldogs."
Suckling has slotted seamlessly into the Dogs' attacking half-back line this season, averaging 21 possessions from his seven games.
The 27-year-old was lured to the Kennel by the security of a three-year deal and the chance to work alongside Beveridge, who was Hawthorn's defensive coach in the 2013 and 2014 premiership seasons.
"I suppose it was an advantage knowing exactly how Luke coached, and spending a few years under him at Hawthorn I knew his thoughts on the game," Suckling said.
"He's a little bit different (to Alastair Clarkson); they're both their own men and have got their own ideas, but they're both forward thinkers and put their own ideas in place.
"Bevo's probably a little bit bolder and allows us to play pretty free."
That freedom has seen the Dogs jump into the top four at the half-way point of the season, with Beveridge's outfit boasting the League's stingiest defence ahead of another crunch clash on the road against Port Adelaide.
"We spent a lot of time over the summer working on it, and with a young group trust is really important," Suckling said.
"The boys have all bought in and that's what makes us work. If you've got one or two that don't really trust, then it can break down.
"(Port) can cut through sides and get out the back … they've kicked a high percentage of their goals from the goal square, so our team defence has to be right on."
