Jamie Bennell

[monoccular 17,575]

Jamie seems to have most of the attributes to be a very damaging player off HB or wing. His ball handling skills and pace are near the elite level. The problem is that we only see occasional cameos, and he then 'goes missing' for a quarter or more. I have no idea why this has become the norm with Jamie. Is it lack of desire / willingness to impose himself on the game(?), poor endurance (?), lack of confidence (?), the absence of a settled role within the team (?). Who knows? If Mark Neeld and his team can identify and address the problem(s), I think we will have a star on our hands, if they don't, then Jamie is in danger of falling by the wayside. 2012 is a very important year for him.

Edit: Spelling

The new coaching panel and new game plan will hopefully see this very clever and skilled player find a definite role, probably HBF/BP small defender.

[Deeoldfart 8,065]

Leopards!

Cameleons!

[sylvinator 96]

We forget how young some of our players are.

Bennel has all the right skills. Pace, good hands, neat kicking skills, explosive, atheletic.

He has had no consistency though, but that can change. He is at the age where that can start to change as he matures.

Should be a best 22 player. There is an opening for him at half back, and i hope he takes it.

If Bennell, Grimes and Strauss could be our running defenders, that could be pretty decent. Allow Bail and Tapscott to be permanent midfielders.

[sydneydee 689]

Jamie really made great strides for me in the last three games of the year when he was allowed to settle as a lock down small defender. It appears that he will continue down that road this year and I think as his confidence grows you will see him improve the attacking side of his game and increase his possession count. Observing training he seems to have improved his body shape over summer and I would have him as smokey for most improved player by end of year.

Anything is possible however based on last season he would be on thin ice

It is fair to assume that Bartram is a lock initially as the small defender. With Grimes back into the back 6, there will be a lot of competition for the last defender role. I dont have confidence that this year will be any different particularly with Neeld's preference for larger bodies.

[old dee 23,872]

Cameleons!

Lovely!

I hope

[jnrmac 20,189]

Took Leon Davis about 8 yrs before he displayed elite skills consistently.

JB has all the tricks. Could be that player for us. Jst hope it doesn't take 8 yrs....

[sydneydee 689]

Took Leon Davis about 8 yrs before he displayed elite skills consistently.

JB has all the tricks. Could be that player for us. Jst hope it doesn't take 8 yrs....

It would be great to see him make it. He was awesome in the Essendon game last year. The difference between his best and worst is massive and I am hoping that MFC is past that level of inconsistency in 2012. IMO he will not make it.

[Hells Gates 505]

One word-maturity. Once he has it I think it will all fall into place for him. Goodluck Jamie!

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

His speed kills. I hope he can get the confidence to use it consistently coming out of the backline. Will be a real weapon for us.

[Sir Why You Little 37,134]

Bennell is another who should benefit if the FD are serious about teaching structure...he will be shown where to run, his pace is great.

Could be a very dangerous forward, but just as easily played in defence...

Very different players, but i really don't think Bailey knew where to play both Bennell & Morton.

When he is good he has that creative pace...tackles well.

[Freak 100]

Just needs to work on his disposal. it still lets him down

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Just needs to work on his disposal. it still lets him down

His disposal is generally very good, that is not an issue for him.

[Tony Tea 2,809]

Cameleons!

What, you mean a combination of a camel and a lion?

[jnrmac 20,189]

Has had a good pre-season and by all reports is looking at that Chris Yarran, Leon Davis type of role.

A real smokey for us to be the bolter of the year.

[Freak 100]

His disposal is generally very good, that is not an issue for him.

Disagree. His ball drop is unnatural and it makes his kicking inconsistent.

[Roost It 1,434]

Jamie's young and relatively inexperienced. He as yet doesn't have the engine to keep up his bursts of pace for an entire game. What he does have is raw talent and pace. Personally I think he's 2 or 3 years away from really hitting his straps. When he does though it should be exciting.

[Bossdog 2,002]

Must average more than his 5 diposals (past two years)per game Just does not get it enough for me.

Edited February 11, 2012 by Bossdog

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Must average more than his 5 diposals (past two years)per game Just does not get it enough for me.

He averages about ten disposals per game, but he does need to find the ball more.

[rpfc 28,779]

Disagree. His ball drop is unnatural and it makes his kicking inconsistent.

Nothing worse for kicking a footy than having an 'unnatural ball drop'...

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Nothing worse for kicking a footy than having an 'unnatural ball drop'...

It actually is the worst, but Bennell's action is good (he guides the ball down well to his foot, he doesn't just throw it in the air like Bruce does). I am more worried about the kicking action of Bate, Fitzpatrick and Morton.

Edited February 13, 2012 by Clint Bizkit

[Biffen 12,947]

Bate can get a kick at least -and he is effective by hand if not always by foot .

Dunno about Fitzy-not enough time to judge .

Apparently Morton has done some promising beep tests .That's all I'll say .

JB will hit his straps this year .

[old dee 23,872]

Bate can get a kick at least -and he is effective by hand if not always by foot .

Dunno about Fitzy-not enough time to judge .

Apparently Morton has done some promising beep tests .That's all I'll say .

JB will hit his straps this year .

Be very careful of low flying pigs Biffen!

[Jack Jack 415]

Am I wrong in seeing some similarity between Benny and Sharrod Wellingham? Wellingham seems to have improved out of sight in the last few seasons, but it has been on the back of a few A grade midfielders that draw most of the opposition attention. He has had a few stand out performances from memory in the absence of a few CFC stars, but this was after a fair dose of confidence and in a premiership team.

At this stage, save for a strong midfield ahead of him, the major thing I see holding Benny back is some cohones. In some respects he reminds me of the cowardly lion.

Call me ignorant.

[dee-luded 2,959]

You beat me by a minute Nutbean. "could" is the word.

After 50 games I would have thought he would be a lot better by now.

Will need a big 2012 for mine.

I am still waiting impatiently

Agreed, but not only get 20 touches but Win his fair share of contests along the Way...

Wanganeen & McLeod went it and won the ball as well as Dashing.

[Swampfox 190]

I am really not sure about Jamie

I really hopes he steps up the level he should have last year

Be interesting how Neeld develops him within the game plan

A fitter squad might make all the difference to his skillset