Camperdown export Easton Wood has stepped down as the Western Bulldogs captain.
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Wood, the Bulldogs' stand-in premiership captain in 2016, will be replaced by superstar midfielder Marcus Bontempelli.
Bontempelli, 24, has been Wood's vice-captain for the past two seasons and was voted the AFL Coaches' Association Player of the Year in 2019.
"One of the goals I suppose I had in thinking about stepping down was that I want to leave the group in a better position than when I started and took over the captaincy," Wood told the playing group.
"I suppose captaining the flag in the first year might have set that bar a little bit high," he added with a laugh.
"It goes without saying captaining this group and this club has been the single biggest privilege of my career."
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Coach Luke Beveridge said the club would do its best to support Bontempelli in his new role.
"We have come to admire Marcus for the impact he has had on the game and his already remarkable reputation as a Western Bulldogs player," he said.
"We are blessed to have tremendous wealth of character within our group.
"Marcus has been acknowledged by his peers as the young man who deserves recognition through past contributions, the promise of the future and the impression he will make as the captain.
"It goes without saying that everyone here is thrilled for Marcus and will do all we can to support him as he takes on new responsibilities."
Bontempelli is a two-time All-Australian and three-time club best and fairest winner.
Wood, 30, debuted in 2009 and notched up his 150th game this year.
He was stand-in skipper for the injured Bob Murphy during the 2016 premiership campaign.
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