Sure Harley is a mess, and blowing his god given talents, but surely he doesn't deserve to have his life ruined by the herald sun like that. They've showed rapists more respect than that. Its an absolute disgrace.

Mark Robinson was on the radio yesterday crying foul that everyone was shooting the messenger, trying to claim they were exposing it to get the kid help.

Discreetly passing the photos onto his club and/or support network wasn't an option..?

Some earlier mentioned Dale Lewis.

His biggest crime was lifting the lid a little bit, spoiling the fun for those who were happily enjoying the general ignorance and lack of scrutiny.

Those who cried foul had the most to lose, indeed.

Mind you, I still think it's ridiculous how over the top the reaction is for some illicit drugs.

It's really not a big deal, or only a big deal because of the hubris.

Don't forget that Robbo is available (for a fee) to write favourable articles though. Young man loses his way - expose him. Regimented drug injection regime - defend them. What's not to like?

He should be a superstar. Has all the talent. Can get 30 touches a game and kick bags of goals.

Look at this scorecard. He can have 8's and 9's level games and then follow it up with 4's and 5's.

http://www.aflplayerratings.com.au/Ratings/Player/115765/Harley-BENNELL

You'd probably be the only person to say he's not inconsistent.

Are you seriously using that as a measure of a player's consistency?

Take Bernie Vince for example, a player I and many others on here would class as a very consistent performer.

http://www.aflplayerratings.com.au/Ratings/Player/110760/Bernie-VINCE

Was rated an 8+ three times this year, yet has also managed to score 4 on four different occasions. It's obvious that you don't watch GC games at all, otherwise you would know how good Bennell has been this year.

Don't forget that Robbo is available (for a fee) to write favourable articles though. Young man loses his way - expose him. Regimented drug injection regime - defend them. What's not to like?

It's pretty obvious though, isn't one?

One entity he supports, the other wanted to punch his head in. No conflict of interest there...

It's pretty obvious though, isn't one?

One entity he supports, the other wanted to punch his head in. No conflict of interest there...

I think most people believe him to have been horribly compromised throughout the whole saga and it now serves to undermine any opinion he puts forward.

Mark Robinson was on the radio yesterday crying foul that everyone was shooting the messenger, trying to claim they were exposing it to get the kid help.

Discreetly passing the photos onto his club and/or support network wasn't an option..?

Some earlier mentioned Dale Lewis.

His biggest crime was lifting the lid a little bit, spoiling the fun for those who were happily enjoying the general ignorance and lack of scrutiny.

Those who cried foul had the most to lose, indeed.

Mind you, I still think it's ridiculous how over the top the reaction is for some illicit drugs.

It's really not a big deal, or only a big deal because of the hubris.

To me it seems the AFL want to control everything and brought in a drug policy that they thought would allow them to keep a check on players and avoid anything messy getting out into the public view. The whole health issue thing is a furphy and for most players isn't an issue.

My personal opinion is the AFL should not have introduced a drug policy and left it to the players.

If players chose to indulge so be it, if they get caught out by the law so be it, if they become hooked so be it and if they cut it with performance enhancing drugs to mask then so be it then let them do their 4 year suspension from the game.

Provide all the education and assistance as is currently done with alcohol and gambling but at the end of the day if the player still choses to go down the drug path and is caught out then it's his choice and his responsibility.

To me it seems the AFL want to control everything and brought in a drug policy that they thought would allow them to keep a check on players and avoid anything messy getting out into the public view. The whole health issue thing is a furphy and for most players isn't an issue.

My personal opinion is the AFL should not have introduced a drug policy and left it to the players.

If players chose to indulge so be it, if they get caught out by the law so be it, if they become hooked so be it and if they cut it with performance enhancing drugs to mask then so be it then let them do their 4 year suspension from the game.

Provide all the education and assistance as is currently done with alcohol and gambling but at the end of the day if the player still choses to go down the drug path and is caught out then it's his choice and his responsibility.

I am finding it hard to disagree with you rjay

With the AFL drug policy it makes me doubt when I hear of a player out for unusual reasons and for an indefinite period.

One missing tonight and a few mates have drawn similar conclusions. Of course it could be legit but the policy now casts aspersions on any player.

It is classed as performance enhancing if you get caught on game day you will get a 2 year ban. Saad's ban was too heavy but his substance was also only illegal on match days.

Harley Bennell himself is testament that the party lifestyle is not performance enhancing. His inconsistencies on field are surely reflective of his inconsistent lifestyle off field.

The AFL will not implode due to a few players taking illicit drugs.

Athletes from sporting competitions across the world - NBA, NFL, NHL, EPL, Golf, Tennis, rugby codes have all been caught with illicit drugs.

We can tighten the penalties and ban players, lessen the testing and lessen the protective health care measures that have stopped players going off the wagon or both. Nothing is really going to change.

no, but the AFL may, if they if they get caught hiding drug taking, within this sport.

First it was Hird/Essendon, now Bennell/Gold Coast have been fitted up. Is there any limit to the AFL's pointless and arbitrary vendettas? Who's next??

Caught up with a mate last night from Gold Coast area. He coached his son's team and in 2013 Harley Bennell and 2 other GC Suns attended a training session to run a clinic.

The other 2 were ok but he said Bennell was clearly drug affected that night. He was slurring his words, swearing whilst adressing the group and told my mate that he was seeing stars and dizzy. He also said he had a tooth pulled that day so was affected from what he was given. Towards the end of the session Bennell had a spew and was blowing his nose out onto the ground. He then offered my bud a handshake (!) before departing with another player driving his vehicle.

Caught up with a mate last night from Gold Coast area. He coached his son's team and in 2013 Harley Bennell and 2 other GC Suns attended a training session to run a clinic.

The other 2 were ok but he said Bennell was clearly drug affected that night. He was slurring his words, swearing whilst adressing the group and told my mate that he was seeing stars and dizzy. He also said he had a tooth pulled that day so was affected from what he was given. Towards the end of the session Bennell had a spew and was blowing his nose out onto the ground. He then offered my bud a handshake (!) before departing with another player driving his vehicle.

I know some of Bennell's relatives in WA, all good people, lets just say love to party hard, maybe too hard at times.

Caught up with a mate last night from Gold Coast area. He coached his son's team and in 2013 Harley Bennell and 2 other GC Suns attended a training session to run a clinic.

The other 2 were ok but he said Bennell was clearly drug affected that night. He was slurring his words, swearing whilst adressing the group and told my mate that he was seeing stars and dizzy. He also said he had a tooth pulled that day so was affected from what he was given. Towards the end of the session Bennell had a spew and was blowing his nose out onto the ground. He then offered my bud a handshake (!) before departing with another player driving his vehicle.

But the CEO/President of this soulless plastic franchise has stated there is no Drug Culture there!!!

It's not hard to pick when somebody is off their box.

This farce has been let fester for at least 3 years whilst we have all collectively shovelled $$$ up there just so the AFL can monopolize TV advertising with Gambling ads.

Well done Vlad!

Are you seriously using that as a measure of a player's consistency?

Take Bernie Vince for example, a player I and many others on here would class as a very consistent performer.

http://www.aflplayerratings.com.au/Ratings/Player/110760/Bernie-VINCE

Was rated an 8+ three times this year, yet has also managed to score 4 on four different occasions. It's obvious that you don't watch GC games at all, otherwise you would know how good Bennell has been this year.

It's not perfect but it's not a bad start. Vince has been inconsistent, it's one of his faults. He's found consistency the last few weeks and in tagging roles.

9/12 games, missing 1 with a club suspension and 2 with a soft tissue injury (something he's had the last 2 seasons which is a concern for a fit young player), and several games with little to know influence. That's inconsistency.

I watch enough of the GC and of Bennell to know he should be influencing more games than not. He's only had 3 games rated 7 or above. Hogan and Brayshaw have already done the same in their first year.

I can't believe this is even a debate.

I am sick of mental health issues being blamed for all bad behaviour.

Whatever problems Bennell may have the facts are he is a party animal - organising events after games and trying to involve players from other clubs.

He is a toxic influence and until he sorts himself out has no place in an elite team sport environment.

Mark Robinson is a c---

Mark Robinson is a c---

welcome to the 21st century hoges.....where have you been, mate?

I am sick of mental health issues being blamed for all bad behaviour.

Whatever problems Bennell may have the facts are he is a party animal - organising events after games and trying to involve players from other clubs.

He is a toxic influence and until he sorts himself out has no place in an elite team sport environment.

Is it fair that the media displays Harley Bennell as a poster boy for GC's drug culture? I wouldn't of thought so.

Apparently there are many others caught up in this, yet the public want to crucify Bennell by media. It is unfair and quite frankly, it is disgraceful.

I don't usually get caught up in issues of race, but the public hanging of Harley Bennell is nothing but racism.

Is it fair that the media displays Harley Bennell as a poster boy for GC's drug culture? I wouldn't of thought so.

Apparently there are many others caught up in this, yet the public want to crucify Bennell by media. It is unfair and quite frankly, it is disgraceful.

I don't usually get caught up in issues of race, but the public hanging of Harley Bennell is nothing but racism.

Don't believe that for a minute.

Is it fair that the media displays Harley Bennell as a poster boy for GC's drug culture? I wouldn't of thought so.

Apparently there are many others caught up in this, yet the public want to crucify Bennell by media. It is unfair and quite frankly, it is disgraceful.

I don't usually get caught up in issues of race, but the public hanging of Harley Bennell is nothing but racism.

Rubbish

Didnt mark robinson have bad blood with harley from the brownlow

Harley is being hanged because someone took a photo and sold it to the papers. Without discounting racism, the clear cause is opportunism - it makes a great front page.

Harley is being hanged because someone took a photo and sold it to the papers. Without discounting racism, the clear cause is opportunism - it makes a great front page.

But Robbo said it was ok Elusive!

Harley is being hanged because someone took a photo and sold it to the papers. Without discounting racism, the clear cause is opportunism - it makes a great front page.

I'd love to see whoever sold the photo outed. Scumbag act of the highest order.

The photo is just part of a package of bad behaviour that has gone on over a long period of time.

His antics have been notorious within the industry and while I'm sure he's not the only one he has been the most visible and has to wear the consequences.