Jump to content

Featured Replies

25 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Maxy Gawn just followed Harley Bennell on Instagram.. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes i am being a creep now.

These days, that’s on par with the club announcing that the player has officially joined the club.

Welcome to Demonland, Harley Bennell!

 

I just followed him on Instagram too and I have a 100% strike rate.

For the record, I did not follow Jamie Elliot.

41 minutes ago, Skuit said:

Dub - Regardless of the on-field outcome, I'd happily sacrifice a list spot for the statement it makes and the small skerrick of excitement it brings to the supporters. The wage will probably pay for itself in memberships within a week of the signing. 

If it comes off we also look like a club with a super medical team that can pull off the miraculous.

A potential destination club for anyone else in a similar vein.

Bennell could also become our Marlion in his own way, a great football story in coming years and a super headline in pre-game build ups on the box.

Potential cult following also.

The upside is massive and at worst if it doesn't work out we stand to lose very little imv.

Fingers & toes crossed (while stretching calfs!).

 
8 hours ago, Cards13 said:

Are we leaking or getting bent over, I’m unsure.

I think we are showing some balls.

We could end up with a pretty fast footy team or a pretty full medical room, but what the hell. Let's give it a whirl.


1 hour ago, Ron Burgundy said:

Surely he doesn’t want to play at the G for a tenant club - it’s far better to play at the G for the landlord * club.

* not literally in a proprietary interest sense, moreso in a historical, moral, we invented the game, traditional ‘owners’ etc sense.

Geez I hope we land this bloke.

 

I like your style Ron! 

19 minutes ago, binman said:

I think we are showing some balls.

that's what happens when you bend over, in my experience.

3 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

that's what happens when you bend over, in my experience.

A little too much information...

 

 Bennell’s ‘calf’ injury problems whilst at Freo were misdiagnosed until recently. What was thought to be a muscular problem was in fact a nerve pathology, which according to current oil, is now sorted. Some would say he has an avenue for legal recompense from Freo. No wonder he’s looking both to reboot and in new pastures. An absolute no-brainer if we can grab him. 

Edited by Webber

17 hours ago, Red and Blue realist said:

Exceptional stats, however:

2016 - 0 possessions/0 goals

2017 - 19 possessions/3 goals - from 2 games

2018 0/0

2019 - 0/0

Throughout the period from 2012-2015 he was one of the most talent players in the comp. Since then, which is a whole 4 season. He has done nothing. As much as his talent will excite many, the reality is he hasn't even gone for a run since his latest bout of surgery, who knows if he still has his speed, agility and even co-ordination that he once had. We've seen what injuries did to the highly talented Jack Trengove on our own list.

We need to have him complete training sessions with us before we even consider him, otherwise we'll just be paying for someone to do rehab who never plays a game.

Good post, it's for that exact reason I'd play him in the F50 as a goal sneak, he knows where they are. I cant see him getting back to his best in the midfield, it's been too long. He's talented enough to maybe boot 40 as the X-factor/small forward option.


11 hours ago, chookrat said:

Words

You do know they are a form of communication ? Actions are another, yes. Your contribution seems lacking. I gather your not one for in- depth analysis.

How in this day and age with professional sports science teams, physios & doctors on top of all of the other consultants outside of club level get the diagnosis about his calves wrong for over 4 years?

Is this legitimately what has happened or is this spin to mask other issues he's had?

Harley asked to leave his Freo contract early so that he could travel to vic to see a soft tissue specialist here (after a failed treatment regime with a specialist in Germany).

The result was an operation in July that removed some scar tissue and repaired a 'nerve issue' that was potentially causing or worsening his calve problems.

Hopefully this has addressed his problems

16 minutes ago, Bonkers said:

How in this day and age with professional sports science teams, physios & doctors on top of all of the other consultants outside of club level get the diagnosis about his calves wrong for over 4 years?

Is this legitimately what has happened or is this spin to mask other issues he's had?

I'm sure the club have asked the same question. I'm trusting the necessary due dilligence has been completed and they have weighed up the risks. 


2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Maxy Gawn just followed Harley Bennell on Instagram.. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes i am being a creep now.

Bought a scooter lately?

Edited by Ethan Tremblay

23 minutes ago, Norm Smith's Curse said:

Harley asked to leave his Freo contract early so that he could travel to vic to see a soft tissue specialist here (after a failed treatment regime with a specialist in Germany).

The result was an operation in July that removed some scar tissue and repaired a 'nerve issue' that was potentially causing or worsening his calve problems.

Hopefully this has addressed his problems

I imagine that calving through a calf would be quite excruciating

32 minutes ago, Norm Smith's Curse said:

Harley asked to leave his Freo contract early so that he could travel to vic to see a soft tissue specialist here (after a failed treatment regime with a specialist in Germany).

The result was an operation in July that removed some scar tissue and repaired a 'nerve issue' that was potentially causing or worsening his calve problems.

Hopefully this has addressed his problems

Welcome to the party. 
 

There might be a few Melbourne bitter tins left lying around but they’re most likely warm. 

59 minutes ago, Webber said:

 Bennell’s ‘calf’ injury problems whilst at Freo were misdiagnosed until recently. What was thought to be a muscular problem was in fact a nerve pathology, which according to current oil, is now sorted. Some would say he has an avenue for legal recompense from Freo. No wonder he’s looking both to reboot and in new pastures. An absolute no-brainer if we can grab him. 

Thanks Webber.

A couple of questions.

I didn't follow Bennll's' effort to get back playing, but my sense is he was training ok but when he ramped it up to get game day ready he inevitably broke down. Am i right in thinking that if that is the case he might have a reasonable fitness base?

And i know it is not you area of experise as such but if his calf issue is sorted is there any impediment related to the issues he has had to reaching optimal fitness?

4 hours ago, DubDee said:

Having played little footy in the past 4 years the chances of him staying on the park in the future are almost nil.  even if we pay him very little it is not worth it imo.  pick a kid in the draft and see how he goes.

he is saying all the right things to get a contract but he lacks the passion to play footy.

How do you know he lacks the passion to play footy? 


1 hour ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Potentially an early test for Burgess and Brukner. 

Exactly.  I’ve been a strong No as we have had a shocking run with injuries and struggled to get guys like Vandenburg and Joel Smith back on the park. I’ve got huge doubts in this area.  

Bennell has physical and mental issues to overcome so is a huge risk.  For “free” does soften the risk but need GOODY/Burgess and Brukner to try to craft an impossible miracle. 

Just now, brendan said:

How do you know he lacks the passion to play footy? 

He doesn't.

If anything going by Bennells comments in the media lately he is as passionate about playing then ever. He knows this is his last chance, especially now that he has a young family to feed.

Just now, dazzledavey36 said:

He doesn't.

If anything going by Bennells comments in the media lately he is as passionate about playing then ever. He knows this is his last chance, especially now that he has a young family to feed.

Exactly it was a silly comment by the poster, I hope we can pull it off and get him on the park we will look like geniuses 

 
6 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

He doesn't.

If anything going by Bennells comments in the media lately he is as passionate about playing then ever. He knows this is his last chance, especially now that he has a young family to feed.

I was thinking the same thing. As you say he knows this is the last roll of the dice. He sounded completely sincere when he said in the short interview at Perth airport before flying into Melbourne that he would give anything to play AFL football again. 

I have a good feeling about this. A redemption story. The headline might be:

Bennell exorcises his demons at the Demons

Edited by binman

12 hours ago, titan_uranus said:

I haven't been this excited about a potential acquisition in a long time.

It could be a complete bust. He might pull his calf in the summer, or his first game. Who knows.

But I want us to be the club that takes the gamble.

This all sounds to me like the mindset of people who are gonna win the 50 million Powerball tonight...


Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Featured Content

  • PREGAME: Fremantle

    The Demons return home to the MCG in search of their first win for the 2025 Premiership season when they take on the Fremantle Dockers on Saturday afternoon. Who comes in and who goes out?

    • 17 replies
    Demonland
  • VOTES: Essendon

    Max Gawn leads the Demonland Player of the Year ahead of Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, Kade Chandler and Jake Bowey. Your votes please. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

    • 14 replies
    Demonland
  • POSTGAME: Essendon

    Despite a spirited third quarter surge, the Demons have slumped to their worst start to a season since 2012, remaining winless and second last on the ladder after a 39-point defeat to Essendon at Adelaide Oval in Gather Round.

      • Vomit
      • Clap
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 156 replies
    Demonland
  • GAMEDAY: Essendon

    It’s Game Day, and the Demons are staring down the barrel of an 0-5 start for the first time since 2012 as they take on Essendon at Adelaide Oval for Gather Round. In that forgettable season, Melbourne finally broke their drought by toppling the Bombers. Can lightning strike twice? Will the Dees turn their nightmare start around and breathe life back into 2025?

      • Haha
      • Like
    • 723 replies
    Demonland
  • PREVIEW: Essendon

    As the focus of the AFL moves exclusively to South Australia for Gather Round, the question is raised as to what are we going to get from the  Melbourne Football Club this weekend? Will it be a repeat of the slop fest of the last three weeks that have seen the team score a measly 174 points and concede 310 or will a return to the City of Churches and the scene where they performed at their best in 2024 act as a wakeup call and bring them out of their early season reverie?  Or will the sleepy Dees treat their fans to a reenactment of their lazy effort from the first Gather Round of two years ago when they allowed the Bombers to trample all over them on a soggy and wet Adelaide Oval? The two examples from above tell us how fickle form can be in football. Last year, a committed group of players turned up in Adelaide with a businesslike mindset. They had a plan, went in confidently and hard for the football and kicked winning scores against both home teams in a difficult environment for visitors. And they repeated that sort of effort later in the season when they played Essendon at the MCG.

    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • PREGAME: Essendon

    Facing the very real and daunting prospect of starting the season with five straight losses, the Demons head to South Australia for the annual Gather Round, where they’ll take on the Bombers in search of their first win of the year. Who comes in, and who comes out?

      • Like
    • 489 replies
    Demonland