that much of a suprise? is a product of the WA system, so has been training and playing with men for a year or two already

its just nice to have someone with pace coming out of the backline, that can hit someone 40m away on the [censored], instead of going 30m in the air, and going down the other teams throat (coughwardbuckleybellcough)

would love for him to be able to progress through to the midfield as well, a clearance specialist ala s.burgoyne :D

getting either mr wona or mr jetta back in the team would be nice too, extra bit of magic on the flank for benny to kick to

No he wasn't, he played Colts all of last year

I've been a huge fan of this kid from day 1, was my pick of the rookies to play round 1 and to play most senior games this season, looking a good bet now

But he is very light, and i think he'll fatigue in the 2nd half of the season, missing a few weeks here and there.

And he's evasive, but god forbid he should take a big hit with his current frame.

Moves like a cat, does Benny. Feline. Kinda like MJ back in the day.

No he wasn't, he played Colts all of last year

I've been a huge fan of this kid from day 1, was my pick of the rookies to play round 1 and to play most senior games this season, looking a good bet now

But he is very light, and i think he'll fatigue in the 2nd half of the season, missing a few weeks here and there.

And he's evasive, but god forbid he should take a big hit with his current frame.

Moves like a cat, does Benny. Feline. Kinda like MJ back in the day.

great full page article in Herald Sun today.. on Bennell and jetta

great full page article in Herald Sun today.. on Bennell and jetta

Sweet. Thanks, haven't checked the hun yet today.

Is anyone else kind of hoping he's the next McLeod? We seem to have a number of smallish crumbers in the forward line... One of the things we're lacking is class coming from defence. Bennell looks like the whole package in this respect, as well as having pace galore and a defensive accountability.

Am I being unreasonable?

Bennell looks a future star, and yes Dappa, I see the McLeod in him. Love his pace and his willingness to take the ball and run.

Grimes looks far more mature than a second gamer.

He moves differently to McLeod. Has a little bit of Cyril / Judd type movement in him.

I'd be happy for him to just be the first Jamie Bennell

Seems the knockers from round 1 who continually wanted him out have started blowing a different tune now or gone very quiet this kid is only 18 and will only get better and yes he will have a few bad games but well done Jamie enjoying the progress cannot wait for his bestmate Nev to show why we got him too

James Bennell, some say that his running action is so smooth he leaves no footprints on the sand.

Yep ABSOLUTE GUN! It was hard to get angry with our poor kicking when you see the development of kids like Bennell, Petterd and Grimes and now even Morton the last couple weeks. Exciting times. And we still have Watts, Blease and Strauss to come in and hopefully some other young guns in the next draft (I won't speculate as I'm pretty sure Richmond will ruin our chances of securing both Skully and Butcher).

If Taylor Walker didn't have such a good game, I would have been screaming for Bennell to win a Rising Star nod this week.

I thought it was time to send him to Casey after his average effort against Adelaide, but he was sublime on occasions yesterday.

He has the potential to become elite, which is pretty exciting.

I know it is the wrong forum but no one has mentioned Maric's game. Much better than last week and one that should be stuck with to see if he can keep up with the tough bodies. Liked his running goal. I liked Bennell's ability to get round the opposition and ability to speed up at the appropriate time. I'm excited!!!!!!!

He is looking fantastic. Skills and speed. dynamite combination. Hopefully Rich, Hill, Ziebell have a rough patch so my 300-1 bet gets up.

Also interesting that Bennell got one of the better wrap ups for a rookie from Dean Baliey in the preseason guide.

It went something along the lines of ' I don't think there is anything Jamie can't do. The kid can play defence, midfield and forward.'

I'm so glad pick 35 stayed and wasn't traded for Matthew's brother or Prismall. We've got a player.

Franky Grimes, I love you.

So 45h, change your favourite player already....

Grimes butchered a few kicks today but I had to keep reminding myself that it is only his second game.

I just love the look of Bennell, he really takes the game on. When Buckley is fit these two will be am explosive combination.

Good point. You're getting me excited, stop it!

You remind me of the chic off the movie 'SWIMFAN' :lol: :lol:....

That was scary...jaded you better not be like this!

James Bennell, some say that his running action is so smooth he leaves no footprints on the sand.

Some say he once tracked down Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid over the Rocky's...

Some say opposition players say to each other "which way did he go?"...players respond all at once, "he went that way"(pointing in different directions)

I thought it was time to send him to Casey after his average effort against Adelaide, but he was sublime on occasions yesterday.

He has the potential to become elite, which is pretty exciting.

I thought the same after Adelaide. Guilty as charged.

I thought it was time to send him to Casey after his average effort against Adelaide, but he was sublime on occasions yesterday.

He has the potential to become elite, which is pretty exciting.

What's exciting is how late the pick was to get him, and how early in his career he's putting it together. He's a kid, and has played 7 out of a possible 7 games. How often have MFC players done that in the last 10 years?

"What's exciting is how late the pick was to get him" - good old pick 35. Not convinced about 'slim draft pickings' for this years draft.

What's exciting is how late the pick was to get him, and how early in his career he's putting it together. He's a kid, and has played 7 out of a possible 7 games. How often have MFC players done that in the last 10 years?

Clint Bartram? IIRC he played all 22 in his first season.

Clint Bartram? IIRC he played all 22 in his first season.

Beat me to it Nasher.

21 and 2 minutes, but nonetheless counts as 22.

I was just thinking about how I reckon Bartram is getting back to '06 form.

21 and 2 minutes, but nonetheless counts as 22.

Yep. Was so unfortunate for him at the time because we were finals bound, and he unfortunately missed that opportunity after such a standout debut season.

Homecoming Bitter Sweet

Lot of people calling him to be dropped throughout the week.

Just wondering what did you think of his game today?

The talk of JB being dropped was stupid, he is been nearly our best performer in the team throughout the year, and looks like he will develop a McLeod type role throughout his long career.(yes, i'm that confident with Bennell.) Won't miss a game for the rest of the year(unless injured)

19 possessions on the weekend and he has averaged 15 or thereabouts. The sweeping defender is a gun.

Is he actually 68 Kgs? He looks more like 75 I reckon, unless he has put 7kg on this year.

The talk of JB being dropped was stupid, he is been nearly our best performer in the team throughout the year,

19 possessions on the weekend and he has averaged 15 or thereabouts.

What a ridiculous assertion.

Also, prior to this round he averaged 11 possessions in his first 6 games - he's now up to 12.

Bennell looks a future star, and yes Dappa, I see the McLeod in him. Love his pace and his willingness to take the ball and run.

Grimes looks far more mature than a second gamer.

I can see alot of a young Dave Wirrapunda in him but with more speed.

What a ridiculous assertion.

Also, prior to this round he averaged 11 possessions in his first 6 games - he's now up to 12.

Well said H, After the 1st 2 weeks he was lucky to hold his spot. Many times he had left his man to badly run under a ball, or turn it over. Jetta was a mile ahead after rd 2, but to his credit he has stuck by his guns and the last 3 weeks has been improving each time out and looks to be growing in confidence. Its great to have a really attacking player off half back and hope it continue

This kid is a real find. We desperately need classy mids. He could really be one of those given time. He is the player at pick 34 (or whatever) that Ricmond wish Tambling was at pick 3.