See footy superstar Marcus Bontempelli’s very romantic marriage proposal on Italian holiday with his glamorous partner

The pain of missing out on the 2024 Brownlow Medal in highly controversial circumstances will be a distant memory for Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli now that he has announced his engagement on holiday in Italy.

The Bulldogs star polled the most Brownlow votes in club history but that was not enough to claim the prestigious award, which went to Carlton star Patrick Cripps.

Adding further fuel to the controversy where comments from Amanda, the wife of AFL boss Andrew Dillon, saying Bontempelli was out of contention before the awards night even started.

‘I would like to see Marcus Bontempelli (win it) but I’ve been told he’s maybe not in the mix,’ Amanda Dillon told Channel 7’s Dale Thomas.

But that will not be what defines Bontempelli’s year after he announced he is getting married to partner Neila Brenning while holidaying in Tuscany.

Bontempelli and Brenning setting the red carpet on fire at the 2024 Brownlow Medal Awards

The All-Australian popped the question in the region’s capital, Florence, with Neila flashing the engagement ring on Instagram.

Celebrations ensued, with the couple sharing wine with friends, heading out to sample the local nightlife and taking romantic photos in a photo booth. 

Canadian-born Brenning met Bontempelli during a holiday in Western Australia shortly after the 2021 grand final. 

He subtly revealed their relationship in May 2022 by sharing Instagram stories featuring her. 

The couple took to the streets of Florence in Tuscany to celebrate their engagement

The Bulldogs superstar met his love shortly after the 2021 AFL grand final but they have largely kept their romance private

A host of AFL players including Bontempelli’s Bulldogs teammates congratulated the couple on their engagement

Brenning, a professional ice hockey player for Melbourne Ice, also recently shared a video of the couple attending an Arsenal match on social media. 

Bontempelli also paid tribute to Neila during his acceptance speech as AFL Players’ Association’s Most Valuable Player. 

‘I’ll start with where it all begins and finishes and that’s with my family, the support you get from people in your corner: my folks, three sisters and their partners, and especially my partner Neila,’ Bontempelli said.

‘Through all the good things and also the challenges at times, I’m so lucky to be so well supported through thick and thin and family is one thing you can always rely on no matter what. Thank you to my family, it’s a special experience to have you all here with me.’

The Italian proposal comes after the Western Bulldogs star was filmed pushing concrete in a wheelbarrow in the AFL off-season.

Bontempelli is starting his own small business Arthur’s Milkbar in Kew and was putting in the hard yakka while wearing an Arthur’s Milkbar trucker’s hat.

The TikTok video received plenty of praise from footy fans.

‘The inner Italian concreter coming out. Bravo Bonte,’ one posted.

‘I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, there’s nothing this man can’t do. Bont for PM,’ added another.