Harley Bennell

[McQueen 17,864]

This is a tough one. As a player, he has everything we crave. Class, pace, skill, x-factor. Off field, he has everything we don't need! I would love to have him but Monde is right. Surely he would have known that Mad Monday is when the press would be on red alert for bad behaviour. If we do go for him, we can't spend our first rounder (pick 6 or 7) on him.

Agreed.

I was in the Dayle Garlett corner also and look how that turned out.

I'd be shocked if we coughed up an early pick for him. The risk is far greater than the reward to deal with an early pick.

Jeff Garlett has been handy so I have no doubt the club can be a positive influence but we got Jeffy for a bag of crisps.

[ChaserJ 4,007]

Was wavering to taking a punt on him, but on info received of late

Absolute No

Can't say anymore, but it could really come back to hurt the club and it's image

Fair enough, I trust your information and trust your judgement PSD.

[Mach5 4,490]

This is just a small part of a bigger story. Are you forgetting that he was caught on tape snorting cocaine? The Suns gave a directive to their players to go easy on Mad Monday celebrations, they didn't want any more headlines. He just screams of trouble maker. I wouldn't be disappointed if we weren't into him.

What world did you grow up in?

Some of the best people I've met in this world, I have seen do the same.

I've seen doctors, lawyers, architects... I've seen other high profile players that you probably wouldn't believe.

A few years back I happily partook.

It didn't and doesn't define who I am, or who I will be.

Much the same with Harley, although he is in desperate need of some better role models in his life.

[Mach5 4,490]

Was wavering to taking a punt on him, but on info received of late

Absolute No

Can't say anymore, but it could really come back to hurt the club and it's image

Anyone out there playing ducks & drakes..?

[mo64 5,240]

What world did you grow up in?

Some of the best people I've met in this world, I have seen do the same.

I've seen doctors, lawyers, architects... I've seen other high profile players that you probably wouldn't believe.

A few years back I happily partook.

It didn't and doesn't define who I am, or who I will be.

Much the same with Harley, although he is in desperate need of some better role models in his life.

It does define the fact that Bennell isn't committed to being an elite sportsperson.

[ChaserJ 4,007]

From Sam Maclure:

Breaking news: Gold Coast Suns putting Harley Bennell up for trade. Melbourne and Essendon two interested Vic clubs. 2 years left on deal.

[McQueen 17,864]

From Sam Maclure:

Breaking news: Gold Coast Suns putting Harley Bennell up for trade. Melbourne and Essendon two interested Vic clubs. 2 years left on deal.

Bombers would be the obvious fit.

[Mach5 4,490]

It does define the fact that Bennell isn't committed to being an elite sportsperson.

Yeah, he hasn't been at GoldCoast, but I also believe he has been a product of his environment.

I mean Karmichael Hunt of all people was lauded as his mentor, the bloke who took him under his wing and into his home... and look at what he was getting up to.

That's the example that was being set for him. Monkey see, monkey do.

I think if you brought him into a better environment, and I believe our club is that now, then it would be different.

[dee-tox 4,829]

We haven't had a proper bad boy since Nathan Carroll! Bring it on!

Edited September 7, 2015 by dee-tox

[Mondê 525]

What world did you grow up in?

Some of the best people I've met in this world, I have seen do the same.

I've seen doctors, lawyers, architects... I've seen other high profile players that you probably wouldn't believe.

A few years back I happily partook.

It didn't and doesn't define who I am, or who I will be.

Much the same with Harley, although he is in desperate need of some better role models in his life.

Seriously? Of course its more acceptable for staff in a profession that don't have a governing body testing your organisation for exactly these types of drugs. I never said it defined who you were, if you are an professional league footballer, you simply can't do it. The image of the club, its stakeholders and the entire league is at stake. If you want to do it, go be a doctor, go be an architect.

[dazzledavey36 49,207]

Sam Maclure has a good strike rate. Pretty sure he broke the Dixon to Port Adelaide first. I also remember him last year he broke the news that the saints were set to overlook petracca!

[DeeSpencer 23,417]

I'm not so much worried about Harley doing damage to other players or doing damage to the club, but more that he doesn't grow up quickly enough and flames out, thus wasting whatever it is we give up for him.

I'll take a risk on the contract, but I'd be close to saying I'd only be willing to risk a 3rd round pick.

If our second round pick in the draft and/or a Howe trade nets us picks in the top 25-30 I would hate to waste them. Outside mid is our biggest weakness but we can draft and develop there.

I'm glad we are interested. Cost nothing to scope him out. But we will need to be very very thorough.

[Chook in Perth 2,012]

We haven't had a proper bad boy since Nathan Carroll! Bring it on!

Apart from the full forward rotting in a jail cell, who's beaten his missus up countless times.

[Young Blood 2,036]

The nightclub culture up on Gold Coast is [censored]. I would be happy for Melbourne to have a stab at trading for him. Not saying that it would necessarily be any different here but I would hope he might fall into a more professional group and be influenced by players like Garlett who was able to mature and play good football for Melbourne this year.

[Mach5 4,490]

Seriously? Of course its more acceptable for staff in a profession that don't have a governing body testing your organisation for exactly these types of drugs. I never said it defined who you were, if you are an professional league footballer, you simply can't do it. The image of the club, its stakeholders and the entire league is at stake. If you want to do it, go be a doctor, go be an architect.

Yeah... nah.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

I think his footballing ability and value as a player is far more significant than any of his 'wrong-doings' that have occured off-field. They just need to be curbed.

Although PSD's post is of interest.

The overwhelming majority of players that have these kinds of 'hiccups' off-field tend to move past them and prove themselves to be valuable contributors on-field for their clubs.

Swan, Dustin Martin, Franklin etc. None of these guys are angels but look at how significant their value is and has been for their team.

As long as your club is solid and you have the right people in place, you're generally pretty safe. And as Machsy says, we have a solid club environment with some really strong leaders and coaches.

The Fevola cases are unbelievably rare. I think there's too much worry.

Edited September 7, 2015 by stevethemanjordan

[DistrACTION Jackson 6,549]

100% hope we go after him.

His speed and foot skills are what we desperately need.

[Mondê 525]

Yeah... nah.

So being a Melbourne supporter (obviously why you're here) how would it make you feel if Harley brought our club into disrepute for striking out on the drugs poilicy? Or getting arrested for DUI? Culture is pretty important at footy clubs these days...

[Mach5 4,490]

So being a Melbourne supporter (obviously why you're here) how would it make you feel if Harley brought our club into disrepute for striking out on the drugs poilicy? Or getting arrested for DUI? Culture is pretty important at footy clubs these days...

I'm not silly enough to think that Bennell would impart his bad habits onto other players.

He's a follower, not a leader.

It's obviously a risk. A calculated risk.

And what I'd be willing to risk depends on what we'd have to pay.

I'd do a straight swap for Howe, gladly.

Edited September 7, 2015 by Mach5

[Young Blood 2,036]

So being a Melbourne supporter (obviously why you're here) how would it make you feel if Harley brought our club into disrepute for striking out on the drugs poilicy? Or getting arrested for DUI? Culture is pretty important at footy clubs these days...

Being a Melbourne supporter, we have been through something similar (probably worse) with Jurrah.

But I get your point. I think the club will be careful.

[DeeSpencer 23,417]

I think his footballing ability and value as a player is far more significant than any of the 'wrong-doings' that have happened off-field. They just need to be curbed.

Although PSD's post is of interest.

The overwhelming majority of players that have these kinds of 'hiccups' off-field tend to move past them and prove themselves to be valuable contributors on-field for their clubs.

Swan, Dustin Martin, Franklin etc. None of these guys are angels but look at how significant their value is and has been for their team.

As long as your club is solid and you have the right people in place, you're generally pretty safe. And as Machsy says, we have a solid club environment with some really strong leaders and coaches.

The Fevola cases are unbelievably rare. I think there's too much worry.

Playing devils advocate but:

Fevola, Jurrah, Sylvia, Dayle Garlett, Murray Newman. Then all the kids who never get drafted because the clubs know they the risk is too high.

Someone like Yarran who hasn't got in to trouble but hasn't reached a consistent level of footy and you wonder if the off field stuff is contributing.

Another worry for Bennell is he's repeatedly missed games with soft tissue injuries. Which is a give away. Now GC have been ordinary in that regard but we haven't been much better.

Our strong leaders:

1. Nathan Jones

2. Jack Viney

3. Dunny

4. ?Tom McDonald

5. ? Jesse Hogan

Our questionable leaders who train well but don't do much on the field:

Grimes, Lumumba, Trengove, Dawes, Garland etc

We have a reasonably deep core of committed young/mid career footballers who train and play the right way - Jetta, Watts, Garlett, Gawn, Vanders, Tyson and the younger guys like Stretch, ANB, Harmes, Kent, Brayshaw etc. But most of these guys are only just making their mark as footballers. I have confidence that these are talented young professionals working really hard to be part of a good culture. Again though, the next couple of years are crucial in making sure as a group they work really hard to get the best out of themselves in order for us to cement the culture instead of it falling down like at the end of the Bailey years.

[bing181 8,208]

A player can/will never perform consistently on-field if his off-field life is a train-wreck.

[Dee-licious 1,867]

Wow - that trade value plummeted fast. If McLure is correct and it's Dees or Dons, you'd think we'd be the front runners due to the Dons problems with WADA (still dont know why people go there....). 3rd round wont get it done. Second round will. Worth it. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

Possibly worth speaking to GC about Howe + 2nd rounder for Bennell + their 2 second rounders. Love to then use those on Plowman, Mayes, Redden etc.

[Gorgoroth 12,351]

His contract would have to have so many clauses in it that it would be 100 pages long. For a second rounder, yep. Not our first pick.

[Wiseblood 24,636]

I'd be wary of taking him with his history, but, he is just the sort of player we need and I feel as though we have a culture now that could handle him.

There is much to play out with this one but I'm certainly hoping we are taking a good, hard look at getting him to the club.