If we gave pick 100odd, and Freo paid most of his salary, then I'd say yes, but only if we were allowed to put the following conditions on him (if he breaches one then instant dismissal/retirement):

- He has to live with a member of the football department (Viney, Macca etc.) I know that younger players sometimes do (in particular those from interstate)

- He has to agree to an alcohol ban, and be tested at the discretion of the club (of course his issues have included other substances, but that's ASADAs place to test).

- He has a curfew of 9pm, unless prior permission is given or out with multiple team members (including if he goes home to visit family). 

- He follows all team rules and if anyone in the FD feels he is not pulling his weight or is disruptive he's out.

If he can do this for the full pre-season there's a chance the switch might reset and he'll fulfill his potential, if he can't commit to this then he doesn't come to the club. If he slips up then we haven't wasted much 

I think Jamie Bennell would be a better choice.

3 hours ago, Lord Neville X Flash said:

I'm of the opinion that when you have a really strong core group, you are then in a position to take some risks with the last 2 spots on the list. If i was a club down the bottom of the list, or a club without strong leadership i would never want a troubled player. But look, you could well be right. It would really depend on Bennell's mindset, and whether or not has grown up, which we can never know. 

Strong core group ??? Sorry you are delusional.

You can maybe claim to have a strong core group when you have a few flags like Geelong or Hawthorn or perhaps make the finals for 10 years consecutively like the Swans.

We have a bunch of kids learning the ropes who have just played in their first ever finals series & are trying to develop into a strong core group.

The last thing they need is a Mitch Clark, Fevola, Harry Lumumba or Harley Bennell.

I know know the urge to fix up the "flawed genius" can be irresistible but it usually ends in tears.

Leave it alone - in fact run as fast as you can from the temptation. 

 

 

7 minutes ago, Cranky Franky said:

Strong core group ??? Sorry you are delusional.

 

 

I am of the belief our top 20 pick themselves week in week out. We have amazing young and old leaders, and a coach that has the players hearts. I say our core group is very strong and will see us play finals for the next 4 years at least. 

Edit: i said 6 years, but that is probably too far into the future. 

Edited October 9, 20186 yr by Lord Neville X Flash

Lets be clear here.  He has exactly the skill-set we need.  He's a silky, skillful, pacey outside mid/flanker who could prowl the wing and deliver to our forwards. 

If we can keep him off the drugs and booze, get him eating properly, training properly, sleeping at night and generally acting like a professional sportsman. 

No way in hell do we take him. 

This is a thread because ??? ?

The bloke spends his spare time on the turps with bikies, hardly the type to bring to our club whatever his undoubted talent. He’s out of chances, will be playing WAFL next year. 

https://thewest.com.au/news/crime/dockers-star-harley-bennell-defends-bikie-associates-who-brutally-bashed-father-in-2016-ng-b88961342z

 

11 hours ago, Dr.D said:

I'd take him. Sure he has been a fruit loop and has had his fair share of injuries but he'd come for free so what's there to lose. I think our club is strong enough to handle him if he goes awol. He was one of the best players in the comp at his best so he'd be in our top 5 players if he got healthy.

Maybe ask ET why he thinks we should avoid him.. I suspect he may know something about his off field “activities”.

Did Peter Bell critics the dockers for resigning him late in the season while a ABC radio presenter?

He started on Saturday and I think his first thought was get rid of that dead weight.  They should just pay him out for the stupid contract for next year and get rid of him.  They are just hoping to move him on with minimal fuss.

The guy can't get through 2 games of footy within 6 months.  Not to mention his other issues.

Anyone who thinks this is even a remote chance has not been paying attention to our recruiting strategy in the last few years.

19 hours ago, Red and Blue realist said:

If we gave pick 100odd, and Freo paid most of his salary, then I'd say yes, but only if we were allowed to put the following conditions on him (if he breaches one then instant dismissal/retirement):

- He has to live with a member of the football department (Viney, Macca etc.) I know that younger players sometimes do (in particular those from interstate)

- He has to agree to an alcohol ban, and be tested at the discretion of the club (of course his issues have included other substances, but that's ASADAs place to test).

- He has a curfew of 9pm, unless prior permission is given or out with multiple team members (including if he goes home to visit family). 

- He follows all team rules and if anyone in the FD feels he is not pulling his weight or is disruptive he's out.

If he can do this for the full pre-season there's a chance the switch might reset and he'll fulfill his potential, if he can't commit to this then he doesn't come to the club. If he slips up then we haven't wasted much 

Poor Viney or Macca family in this scenario , I know we have host families that go above and beyond but  having this loose unit in your house with a 9PM , no alcohol rule is a disaster idea.

straight swap bennell for hogan......get it done

I remember posting re Balic (who had lived with Bennell ) that we should stay away from Balic ...shot down in flames on here & where’s Balic now ...absolutely don’t touch Bennell !!

Dont think any club will. Damaged goods. Has had an eternity to get it right and is no better off.

Nope, nope and nope.

IF he were going for nothing, AND if Nev sat down with him one on one AND was convinced that he (Nev) could get him on track and keep him on track then ....maybe.  

But he would need a very strong minder, like Nev, and very strict conditions on his contract.  (Maybe this would be unfair on Nev, but at least worth exploring if Nev were willing.  

Without applying pressure on Nev, I would trust his judgement.

Nev has a young family, in no way would it be his responsibility to provide full-time care to a fully grown adult. It’s ridiculous Nev’s name keeps being brought up in this conversation.

It doesn’t matter how cheap he comes, you don’t want him anywhere near the club. 

Edited October 10, 20186 yr by Ethan Tremblay

1 minute ago, monoccular said:

IF he were going for nothing, AND if Nev sat down with him one on one AND was convinced that he (Nev) could get him on track and keep him on track then ....maybe.  

But he would need a very strong minder, like Nev, and very strict conditions on his contract.  (Maybe this would be unfair on Nev, but at least worth exploring if Nev were willing.  

Without applying pressure on Nev, I would trust his judgement.

FFS why do people assume that Nev, a lovely calm bloke whose life is on track and who is enjoying a wonderful stable footy career, would have ANY interest in taking on the burden of child minding a head case with known drug, alcohol and violence issues? Because he’s indigenous and it’s his duty to get involved? How ridiculous.

Nev’s probably reading this thread thinking “leave me the frig out out of it!”

1 minute ago, EnterTheDragon said:

FFS why do people assume that Nev, a lovely calm bloke whose life is on track and who is enjoying a wonderful stable footy career, would have ANY interest in taking on the burden of child minding a head case with known drug, alcohol and violence issues? Because he’s indigenous and it’s his duty to get involved? How ridiculous.

Nev’s probably reading this thread thinking “leave me the frig out out of it!”

ETD - IF Nev doesn't want a bar of him I would say the club would have no interest.

I still feel that the club should 'run it past him' and if he says no, fine, end of story.  

He is a strong leader and I totally agree we should not burden him as 'indigenous welfare officer' but it wouldn't hurt to ask him the question, that's all I am getting at.

yeah no thanks ....

On 10/9/2018 at 9:07 AM, Tinks said:

Sam McClure is reporting on trade radio that Freo are looking to trade him if possible. Obviously has had some troubles but has insanely good talent and would come super cheap. Worth a look for the right price?

As long as we get Bomber Thompson to provide a bit more experience to our coaching panel.

28 minutes ago, TGR said:

As long as we get Bomber Thompson to provide a bit more experience to our coaching panel.

From what I've heard of Bennell's attitude, behaviour and social skills, he makes Bomber Thompson look like a choir boy.

No thanks!

31 minutes ago, TGR said:

As long as we get Bomber Thompson to provide a bit more experience to our coaching panel.

I guess we could rely on Bomba to deal with him?

Peter Bell has told the media in Perth this evening that he would be prepared to do a trade for Bennell if the club in question was prepared to part with a top ten pick.

Just now, Elwood 3184 said:

Peter Bell has told the media in Perth this evening that he would be prepared to do a trade for Bennell if the club in question was prepared to part with a top ten pick.

Only kidding?

43 minutes ago, Elwood 3184 said:

Only kidding?

well you can come over here and clean the vomit from my keyboard