Send Bennell to the VFL

[Summer Blease 0]

Bennell is afraid of body contact and he should be sent to the VFL to gain some much needed confidence in this regard. IMO it is very obvious to even the most novice of football observers that he lacks the courage to go back with the flight of the ball- it was very obvious in the second half yesterday when he went for that one hander running back- a braver player would have gave up any thoughts of self preservation and gone with the two dukes. It was embarrasing and little things like these can cost games.

I think this creeps into Bennells game a bit more than some realise, and although it may seem ludicrous IMO some of Bennells better pasages of play originate from his want to stay as far away from his opponent, whilst grabbing the ball in an attempt to eliminate the chance of body contact.

Bennell is worth persisting with but seeing as he is an AFL player he needs to get this obvious flaw stamped out of his game now with a short confidence boosting stint in the VFL. Thoughts?

[Guest watts04]

There is no doubt is creeps into his game but not sure how the VFL will teach him besides dropping his confidence further? Think he is part of our best 22 going forward and needs to keep learning in the big league.

He has some upside and its not like we have depth in small defenders...

[PeterJames 46]

He has to be dropped. It will teach him when it's his time to go he has to go. Every week he is scared to go for the hard ball. He doesn't do enough in the game anyway to warrant selection. He was moved forward because he can't play on an opponent. I think he will be replaced by Maric.

[Summer Blease 0]

Definately not sending him as punishment, or any kind of long term venture- feel he can gain confidence by being able to 'tear it up' in the 'weaker' league and hopefully that confidence will extend into confidence in body and ability to be able to take hits and give hits.

He needs to be able to dominate a contest so he can start testing his limits body wise. I think it may take longer to do this in the AFL.. once again, not punishment, maybe a neccesity. Thoughts?

[Yokozuna 1,004]

I dont think dropping him is the simple answer. People say droppng him will teach him. It may make him less confident, who knows. If we dropped people for their mistakes, poor decisions etc. we would have had nobody playing yesterday!

What would be great is if there is a contest next week and he puts his head over it or goes back with courage. You just need one incident and it will all turn around.

I do recall Cale Morton doing it in his first year, and then learning from it, and he learnt in the big league, not back in the VFL.

I like how he played (for most of the game) yesterday.

That being said I would also like to see Maric in too, but we cant play them all.

[Summer Blease 0]

That's the thing, people are seeing it as punishment for a 'mistake'. I don't see this as a mistake, a mistake is passing to a player under pressure. Mistakes are what Bruce makes. This is a personality thing, it's not premeditated it's the flight response kicking in.

Were not going to lose anything by dropping him, we are in the luxurious position of having lots of kids to try anyway. I think we maybe able to fast track this issue by sending him to a league which is weaker and by virtue makes Bennell stronger. It all starts in the mind. Thoughts?

[John Crow Batty 8,305]

I recall Rodney Grinter doing a similar thing in a tight game against West Coast in 1990. He would be the last player one would consider to have this kind of intestinal meltdown. I'm sure this event will eat into Bennell's guts and we will likely never see it again.

[Demon Tragic 0]

I thought Bennell worked his guts out for us yesterday. He provided us with great pace and energy up forward. From memory, there was one contest he shirked. He'll learn from that. The kids played less than 20 games of footy ffs! When your mentor for the past 2 years has been Cam Bruce, it's a wonder he didn't shirk more!! If you want to point the finger for yesterday's loss (and I really don't), don't start with any of the kids, they all played thier guts out for the red & blue yesterday and I'm proud of every one of them.

[praha 10,360]

Bennell was great yesterday I thought. Got his hands on the ball, made a few mistakes, but so did Jnr, MacDonald, Dunn, Bruce and Davey.

[Nasher 33,166]

Despite a reasonably good game overall, he committed the cardinal sin. I'll forgive mistakes, but he directly cost us a goal by not going at 100%. Contrast this with Petterd's effort in the last quarter. Had anyone been coming the other way, Petterd's match stats would've been 3 goals and a broken neck, not 4 goals.

I'm not sure if dropping Bennell from the side is the answer, but I'm definitely not against it. This element of his game needs to be removed ASAP.

[armstrong35 262]

bennell wasnt that bad.

if anyone should b dropped its bloody newton.

he is more afraid then bennell..

least bennell can add abit of pace

drop newton for martin!

[Vagg 2,422]

Very easy for us armchair "experts" to accuse the kid of "shirking it". I'm not convinced that's what happened. Just because he didn't take the mark between the Collingwood players doesn't prove he chickened out.

He was very good yesterday.

Give him a break, and leave the belittling of our players to opposition supporters!

[tez 6]

Very easy for us armchair "experts" to accuse the kid of "shirking it". I'm not convinced that's what happened. Just because he didn't take the mark between the Collingwood players doesn't prove he chickened out.

He was very good yesterday.

Give him a break, and leave the belittling of our players to opposition supporters!

I agree whole heartedly Vagg this kid and i say kid is learning the game against the big boys will get better and better, loved his pace provided in our forward 50 i have no doubt the correct decision will be made when he is named in the senior 22.

I think alot of people are over reacting to yesterday and we should be pleased with the total effort by all concerned and not go on what ifs and can only see one in next week if fit and thats sylvia even though stef and cheney could warrant selection on past few efforts at casey

[dee-luded 2,958]

Very easy for us armchair "experts" to accuse the kid of "shirking it". I'm not convinced that's what happened. Just because he didn't take the mark between the Collingwood players doesn't prove he chickened out.

He was very good yesterday.

Give him a break, and leave the belittling of our players to opposition supporters!

Oh, I'm starting to think that the pressure we, the Club supporters applied to the team, has made a huge positive impact.

Conversely, Maybe that we've been too nice for too long has made Melbourne players complacent.

I've allways defended for our players from attacks, except in certain soft circumstances, but I'm having a rethink now...

....Player Developement anyone...............

Edited April 4, 2010 by dee-luded

[Bobby McKenzie 2,204]

Very easy for us armchair "experts" to accuse the kid of "shirking it". I'm not convinced that's what happened. Just because he didn't take the mark between the Collingwood players doesn't prove he chickened out.

He was very good yesterday.

Give him a break, and leave the belittling of our players to opposition supporters!

Hi Vagg, we champion half forward flankers must think alike! I don't think Bennell shirked it. I believe he heard a call from Newton to leave it and as a result he half pulled out of the marking contest. That's how it came over on foxtel anyway. It seems everyone has forgotten about his very COURAGEOUS mark in the goal square where he could have easily head butted the goal post. No, no mention of that one from his knockers. He had a quiet first half, but in the second he was very, very good. He will be a great player for us.

[Vagg 2,422]

Hi Vagg, we champion half forward flankers must think alike! I don't think Bennell shirked it. I believe he heard a call from Newton to leave it and as a result he half pulled out of the marking contest. That's how it came over on foxtel anyway. It seems everyone has forgotten about his very COURAGEOUS mark in the goal square where he could have easily head butted the goal post. No, no mention of that one from his knockers. He had a quiet first half, but in the second he was very, very good. He will be a great player for us.

Yes, Bobby, well said. That near miss with the goal post was a close thing. Yeah, I kinda think my name sake (the REAL one!) would be happy to see Jamie line up in his old spot on the half forward flank again next week.

Go Dees!

[jacey 333]

I'm not sure if dropping Bennell from the side is the answer, but I'm definitely not against it. This element of his game needs to be removed ASAP.

Same. Put the acid on him and put him out there again. Coaches and teammates in particular need to address this and make sure he knows this is unacceptable.

I'll play him against the crows.

[waynewussell 4,122]

Nostradamus has put it fairly and squarely and I'm finding I agree. I think Bennell offers heaps, but he has a fatal flaw and he needs to deal with it at the lower level... just a week or two to make the point firmly that he has to go when its his turn. It is my belief that no physical harm would have come to him in the two instances I have witnessed first hand. At least one of these incidents would have resulted in a goal for the Demons if he took the mark.

[Brayshaws' Helmet 143]

Ridiculous, he played fine yesterday, he deserves a spot next week

[ICU2 Jerry Jerry 257]

I was in perfect view for the "shirk" yesterday and it was just that. A poor effort followed up by a pretend attack of cramp in an attempt to have an excuse. It was a bad effort and won't be stood for at the club. He will know that now it would have been replayed in front of the group as an example of what not to do. He will learn from it and should play next week. The next time (if) it happens then dropping might be a response. Very hard to teach someone courage. Most either have it or don't

[Summer Blease 0]

People... please!! I believe Bennell had a good game yesterday, this is totally beside the point. He is a second year player, this is also beside the point. My suggestion of dropping him to the VFL has nothing to do with his game yesterday, it has everything to do with his lack of bravery and that alone. He doesn't like body contact, full stop!

To become ruthless we need to start acting ruthless, not that a temporary drop to the VFL to address a pertinant deficiancy is being exactly ruthless, but we need to stop being so timid for once.

[Guest Rojik of the Arctic]

People... please!! I believe Bennell had a good game yesterday, this is totally beside the point. He is a second year player, this is also beside the point. My suggestion of dropping him to the VFL has nothing to do with his game yesterday, it has everything to do with his lack of bravery and that alone. He doesn't like body contact, full stop!

To become ruthless we need to start acting ruthless, not that a temporary drop to the VFL to address a pertinant deficiancy is being exactly ruthless, but we need to stop being so timid for once.

Agree 100%. It needs to be stopped not just for JB but for the rest of the team. Call it a line in the sand the same way that good players like Robbo and Trapper were let go for not doing the 1%'er team things. We can't afford to have players not going 100% all of the time. But he is young and I think he will learn. Fear of letting down your mates is often stronger than the fear of getting hurt.

[Footynut 302]

Bennell will be ok. As stated it will be pointed out to him this week and its really then becomes all about how he responds...

[RalphiusMaximus 5,993]

Have to say guys, one of Brad Green's goals came from Bennell backing into danger and emerging with the ball. He showed a lot of poise, kept his feet and never took his eyes off the ball. Had the two Pies not hit each other he would have been crunched. Admittedly, this is not always the case, but you have to admit that he doesn't always shirk the contest.

[2014-Flag 0]

i've just watched the game from end to end on foxtel and i've got to tell you all - DON'T CRUCIFY JAMIE BENNELL. He is a star in the making, and he is not soft. The mark he took in the goalsquare was one of the more courageous marks i have seen at the G. Give the kid a break and he will be a star.

We are at the start of a very exciting lead up the the premiership in 2014 - enjoy it, it will be the first of many. And get used to it...