WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - HARLEY BENNELL

[daisycutter 30,027]

1 hour ago, Rusty Nails said:

Correct DC.  I've allowed 7 weeks up there as a super rough guesstimate for a soft load up from the 3rd.  And that's just to ease him to a level needed to be ready to start an adjusted pre-season.

well who knows

if (and it's a big if) his ops have fixed his problems.....

then mid season seems pessimistic, and start of season sounds too optimistic

so, in between......take your best bet

[Leoncelli_36 2,264]

6 hours ago, Watts the matter said:

What confirmation are you actually looking for?

The latest I read was that he was invited to train with us starting December 3rd?

It's in his best interests to not train with anyone before that date to leave his options open at other clubs and be able to sign as a delisted free agent at any club.

I’m not sure of the formality of it all, but I was told by a person connected to the club that he 100% wants to come to us. He has said to the club he’d like to be selected by us. The powers that be are weighing up a few things before committing to him. There was no problem with his medical. So what they are weighing up is most likely whether he is committed and willing to be disciplined off field. 

He can be added as late as February and I am informed he will be invited to train over summer, with a view to pick him up later on. That is what I have been told and the source is very reliable. 

He is ours if we want him, but we won’t be rushed on making the call. 

I am sorry if someone has posted similar info, I couldn’t be bothered reading back over the last few pages. 

[drysdale demon 4,837]

42 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

People have mentioned Bennell is linked to Martin. I am out of the loop - would Martin come because he is mates with Bennell? Is this the jist of it? Does Martin have no other mates playing elsewhere? Is it a special type of relationship? I am confused.

I wouldn't be paying too much attention to what all the armchair experts are saying

[FireInTheBennelly 4,104]

1 hour ago, Engorged Onion said:

People have mentioned Bennell is linked to Martin. I am out of the loop - would Martin come because he is mates with Bennell? Is this the jist of it? Does Martin have no other mates playing elsewhere? Is it a special type of relationship? I am confused.

No Martin has only ever had 2 mates in his entire life. May and Bennell.

[Skuit 10,031]

1 hour ago, Engorged Onion said:

People have mentioned Bennell is linked to Martin. I am out of the loop - would Martin come because he is mates with Bennell? Is this the jist of it? Does Martin have no other mates playing elsewhere? Is it a special type of relationship? I am confused.

Not sure if anyone has forwarded knowledge of any special relationship. 

But the speculation is probably due to Martin citing Betts as a factor in his determination to get to the Blues. 

If he's deciding his future on such a triviality, it adds weight that he may be swayed by a friend's recruit elsewhere. 

Just guessing here. 

[Engorged Onion 10,226]

14 minutes ago, Skuit said:

Not sure if anyone has forwarded knowledge of any special relationship. 

But the speculation is probably due to Martin citing Betts as a factor in his determination to get to the Blues. 

If he's deciding his future on such a triviality, it adds weight that he may be swayed by a friend's recruit elsewhere. 

Just guessing here. 

Isn't THAT just the operative word. 

[Pates 9,697]

1 hour ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

I’m not sure of the formality of it all, but I was told by a person connected to the club that he 100% wants to come to us. He has said to the club he’d like to be selected by us. The powers that be are weighing up a few things before committing to him. There was no problem with his medical. So what they are weighing up is most likely whether he is committed and willing to be disciplined off field. 

He can be added as late as February and I am informed he will be invited to train over summer, with a view to pick him up later on. That is what I have been told and the source is very reliable. 

He is ours if we want him, but we won’t be rushed on making the call. 

I am sorry if someone has posted similar info, I couldn’t be bothered reading back over the last few pages. 

I'm not sure if anyone here can shed some light into how good your mail has been in the past but it sounds positive from our end if true.

[Lord Ivanhoe 311]

FWIW - Got it from the very top of medical today. They were asked to have a look at him and believe they are a chance to get him right. Still a 50/50 proposition once the loads begin

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,602]

Interesting that you say that. I was told that the club were surprised by the medical - that the procedure he had in June/July seemed to have left his underdone calves in better shape than they expected.

Apparently some scar tissue was removed and a nerve issue was identified that can be treated potentially. 

[Demon Dynasty 17,169]

5 minutes ago, Norm Smith's Curse said:

Interesting that you say that. I was told that the club were surprised by the medical - that the procedure he had in June/July seemed to have left his underdone calves in better shape than they expected.

Apparently some scar tissue was removed and a nerve issue was identified that can be treated potentially. 

Would love to know how the nerves are or were being impacted etc.  Not that i am expecting to know as i'm certainly no expert but in my travels i've never heard of this lower leg nerve / muscle impact issue before.

Debilitating sciatica & lower back pain etc is common but this seems like one out of the box.

[dazzledavey36 56,443]

So are we still a legitimate chance? Haven't heard anything since he went back to Perth.

[Leoncelli_36 2,264]

1 hour ago, Pates said:

I'm not sure if anyone here can shed some light into how good your mail has been in the past but it sounds positive from our end if true.

I’ve got a good track record and knew a lot about what was going on with Hogan and the reasons why Watts was traded. Posted it weeks before and also exposed some of what Hogan was getting up to, but the mods accused me of running the risk of defamation, even though everything I said was completely true and later proven to be. 

I don’t really care who believes what I post or not. I work in a job where I meet a lot of people connected to the AFL. The source is reliable and I have no reason to doubt his info. 

I am also reliably informed that Frost was traded due to his poor work ethic at training and constant negativity. Apparently he’d be mentally cooked at 3/4 time on game day and hated the feedback he’d get. He would inevitably have poor last quarters. Apparently a really negative bloke, who was beginning to rub off on the younger players. 

[Pates 9,697]

16 minutes ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

I’ve got a good track record and knew a lot about what was going on with Hogan and the reasons why Watts was traded. Posted it weeks before and also exposed some of what Hogan was getting up to, but the mods accused me of running the risk of defamation, even though everything I said was completely true and later proven to be. 

I don’t really care who believes what I post or not. I work in a job where I meet a lot of people connected to the AFL. The source is reliable and I have no reason to doubt his info. 

I am also reliably informed that Frost was traded due to his poor work ethic at training and constant negativity. Apparently he’d be mentally cooked at 3/4 time on game day and hated the feedback he’d get. He would inevitably have poor last quarters. Apparently a really negative bloke, who was beginning to rub off on the younger players. 

Good stuff mate, not doubting your sources and always happy to get solid mail in at DLand!

[Docs Demons 1,810]

11 minutes ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

I’ve got a good track record and knew a lot about what was going on with Hogan and the reasons why Watts was traded. Posted it weeks before and also exposed some of what Hogan was getting up to, but the mods accused me of running the risk of defamation, even though everything I said was completely true and later proven to be. 

I don’t really care who believes what I post or not. I work in a job where I meet a lot of people connected to the AFL. The source is reliable and I have no reason to doubt his info. 

I am also reliably informed that Frost was traded due to his poor work ethic at training and constant negativity. Apparently he’d be mentally cooked at 3/4 time on game day and hated the feedback he’d get. He would inevitably have poor last quarters. Apparently a really negative bloke, who was beginning to rub off on the younger players. 

I for one appreciate your insights Leoncelli-36 and have no doubt you are reporting truth and agree with your comments on Mr Hogan and Watts.No need to go into this any more as is history.We all move on. I trust we as a club have done a thorough check on Bennell and if they believe he can play and get back to some of his best form then I will back them until the cows come home. He will be a valuable player for us if he can get fit and ready to play AFL again. 

[Bring-Back-Powell 15,578]

37 minutes ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

I am also reliably informed that Frost was traded due to his poor work ethic at training and constant negativity. Apparently he’d be mentally cooked at 3/4 time on game day and hated the feedback he’d get. He would inevitably have poor last quarters. Apparently a really negative bloke, who was beginning to rub off on the younger players. 

Someone else also posted something negative about Frost during trade week.

If true, I can’t see Frost having much of a career at Hawthorn with the standards their coach requires.

I always thought Frost came across as a humble kind of guy that would be the last person that would cause a problem at a footy club.

[Ron Burgundy 8,588]

3 hours ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

I’m not sure of the formality of it all, but I was told by a person connected to the club that he 100% wants to come to us. He has said to the club he’d like to be selected by us. The powers that be are weighing up a few things before committing to him. There was no problem with his medical. So what they are weighing up is most likely whether he is committed and willing to be disciplined off field. 

He can be added as late as February and I am informed he will be invited to train over summer, with a view to pick him up later on. That is what I have been told and the source is very reliable. 

He is ours if we want him, but we won’t be rushed on making the call. 

I am sorry if someone has posted similar info, I couldn’t be bothered reading back over the last few pages. 

I have a tear in my eye.

I’m not quite sure why, but I desperately want to see this bloke in the red and the blue next year.

There just seems to be one of the truly great sports stories of all times potentially unfolding here - for both club and player.

Make it happen Josh.

 

PS. Have had a few Laphroaigs and have been watching Last Chance U on a Netflix. I love the underdog stuff - it makes for the best theatre in life.

 

[Pates 9,697]

16 minutes ago, Ron Burgundy said:

I have a tear in my eye.

I’m not quite sure why, but I desperately want to see this bloke in the red and the blue next year.

There just seems to be one of the truly great sports stories of all times potentially unfolding here - for both club and player.

Make it happen Josh.

 

PS. Have had a few Laphroaigs and have been watching Last Chance U on a Netflix. I love the underdog stuff - it makes for the best theatre in life.

 

It feels like we've seen it happen to almost every other club (Saints being the only one I can't really think of), we've seen lots of players come back from adversity or a significant life event (whether or not it was self inflicted) and become valuable contributers to the teams success. I would dearly love to see that happen with us and Bennell.

Edited November 1, 2019 by Pates

[John Demonic 5,992]

1 hour ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

I’ve got a good track record and knew a lot about what was going on with Hogan and the reasons why Watts was traded. Posted it weeks before and also exposed some of what Hogan was getting up to, but the mods accused me of running the risk of defamation, even though everything I said was completely true and later proven to be. 

I don’t really care who believes what I post or not. I work in a job where I meet a lot of people connected to the AFL. The source is reliable and I have no reason to doubt his info. 

I am also reliably informed that Frost was traded due to his poor work ethic at training and constant negativity. Apparently he’d be mentally cooked at 3/4 time on game day and hated the feedback he’d get. He would inevitably have poor last quarters. Apparently a really negative bloke, who was beginning to rub off on the younger players. 

Sam Defrost

[bing181 9,480]

5 hours ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

I am also reliably informed that Frost was traded ...

Shows once again how little we on the outside know of what's really going on inside the club, and of what's behind decisions that are being made.

[Lucifers Hero 40,756]

If he joins us I'm not at all concerned that he won't be ready to play until well into the season.  Hopefully we make finals and that is when we will need him the most.   

AvB in 2018 is the blue print for patience. He hadn't played for 2 years with an extensive injury history.  iirc he played a month at Casey, an AFL game or two at the end of the season and had an excellent finals series.  If we get only 8 games like that from Bennell at seasons end it will be fantastic.  (Not relevant to this thread but might just say it is so sad that Aaron's injuries have kept him out this year and really hope he gets back soon).

Glad to read the reports on the caution (ie due diligence) the club is taking before recruiting Bennell.

I would say that as soon as the club and Bennell agree that he will join us, Burgess will have a training program ready for him.  They won't wait for him to actually join the club on Dec 3 to get him rehabbing.

Edited November 1, 2019 by Lucifer's Hero

[Engorged Onion 10,226]

1 hour ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

If he joins us I'm not at all concerned that he won't be ready to play until well into the season.  Hopefully we make finals and that is when we will need him the most.   

AvB in 2018 is the blue print for patience. He hadn't played for 2 years with an extensive injury history.  iirc he played a month at Casey, an AFL game or two at the end of the season and had an excellent finals series.  If we get only 8 games like that from Bennell at seasons end it will be fantastic.  (Not relevant to this thread but might just say it is so sad that Aaron's injuries have kept him out this year and really hope he gets back soon).

Glad to read the reports on the caution (ie due diligence) the club is taking before recruiting Bennell.

I would say that as soon as the club and Bennell agree that he will join us, Burgess will have a training program ready for him.  They won't wait for him to actually join the club on Dec 3 to get him rehabbing.

already done.

[Domgus Petrogan 146]

If his preference is to join the club, I wonder how much of that would be down to Darren Burgess taking the role with the Dees?

[Skuit 10,031]

It's almost Monty Pythonesque. 

Bennell states his desire to join our club. 

We're then concerned about his mental state. 

[dieter 3,325]

23 minutes ago, Skuit said:

It's almost Monty Pythonesque. 

Bennell states his desire to join our club. 

We're then concerned about his mental state. 

The paradigm for any contemporary Demon supporter, questionable mental states.

[DubDee 26,795]

14 hours ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

I’m not sure of the formality of it all, but I was told by a person connected to the club that he 100% wants to come to us. He has said to the club he’d like to be selected by us. The powers that be are weighing up a few things before committing to him. There was no problem with his medical. So what they are weighing up is most likely whether he is committed and willing to be disciplined off field. 

He can be added as late as February and I am informed he will be invited to train over summer, with a view to pick him up later on. That is what I have been told and the source is very reliable. 

He is ours if we want him, but we won’t be rushed on making the call. 

I am sorry if someone has posted similar info, I couldn’t be bothered reading back over the last few pages. 

Thanks for the info!

it is great to follow a proper footBall club, off field at least, that make sound reasoned decisions. Not making any desperate knee jerk moves. 

He will be made to prove himself off field and body wise and that is how it should be