Channel Seven commentator Brian Taylor has given new meaning to the AFL term ‘hard ball get’ by focusing on footy star Marcus Bontempelli’s genitalia during an eye-opening slow-motion replay on Thursday night.

The Western Bulldogs skipper gave away a free kick when he tried to tackle St Kilda’s Mitch Owens from behind in the third quarter and crashed into the ball, which collided with his private parts.

Taylor described the action to viewers by saying, ‘Have a look at Bontempelli here.

‘And there it is. And he felt uncomfortable for a moment.’

Taylor’s quip set off laughter in the Seven commentary booth and some fans were quick to see the funny side.

Commentator Brian Taylor couldn’t help himself when Seven aired a slow-motion replay of Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli being hit where it hurts when he fell on the ball during the match against St Kilda on Thursday night (pictured) 

Taylor (pictured) said the footy got the Dogs skipper ‘right on the doodle’

‘That’s gotta be a disposal,’ one wrote on X.

‘That Bonted his Pelli,’ another added.

‘Helluva slowmo that one,’ a third said.

 However, other footy viewers thought the moment was too low-rent.

‘The state of commentary and coverage… our game is dying. We used to have Commetti,’ wrote one, referring to retired commentary great Dennis Cometti.

‘That’s why @FOXFOOTY is so much more classier than those 7 bogans. No mention of it on Fox Footy,’ another said.

Superstar-in-the-making Sam Darcy kicked three goals on return from his knee injury to help lift the free-scoring Dogs to a comprehensive 72-point win.

Less than eight weeks after fearing his season was over, Darcy was an ever-present threat in the Bulldogs’ thumping 20.12 (132) to 8.12 (60) victory at Marvel Stadium.

Bontempelli (pictured) was hurt by a knee to the ribs and failed to have his usual impact in his team’s big win

The Dogs seized control early and comfortably improved their record to 7-6, while St Kilda fell to 5-8 with the top-eight slipping away.

Bailey Dale (26 disposals), Matt Kennedy (28) and key defender Rory Lobb (17) were all influential as the Bulldogs outscored their opponents in every quarter and posted their highest total of the season.

Darcy finished with 3.2 from 19 disposals, while Aaron Naughton (three goals), Ryley Sanders, Buku Khamis and Kennedy (two each) also hit the scoreboard.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge thought Darcy fought well through some physical treatment from St Kilda’s defenders.

‘He was pretty good, ‘Darc’. Obviously they paid him a fair bit of attention,’ Beveridge said.

‘It’s something that he’s going to have to deal with week to week.

‘As long as he’s just treated like every other key forward, that’s all that matters.’

Bontempelli was restricted to 14 disposals under close attention from Marcus Windhager, and took a nasty knee to the ribs in a second-quarter marking contest.

Windhager (16 disposals, one goal) worked tirelessly for St Kilda, with Callum Wilkie strong in defence and Jack Sinclair (30 touches) busy in his 200th game.

But the Saints were well beaten, losing a lop-sided inside-50 count 68-40.

And they have cause for concern over Hunter Clark, who faces scrutiny from the match review officer for a dangerous tackle on Matt Kennedy.

Zak Jones could also be looked at over an off-the-ball bump that floored James O’Donnell.