Jump to content

WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - HARLEY BENNELL

Tinks
Tinks
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

  On 01/11/2019 at 12:11, Docs Demons said:

. 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. 

Agree. If he can’t perform no biggy, as he can be given a one year incentive contract with another year if he can get fully fit and play. He will help with membership, attendances and excitement and our place as a destination club, given he is apparently being chased by 6 clubs.

If it is a bust, he leaves with the other 5-6 delisted/traded players each year.

To me this is a tiny risk venture, with a possible large upside.

  • Quote
    • Like 5
     
      On 01/11/2019 at 23:07, Domgus Petrogan said:

    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?

    And maybe Dr Peter Brukner and Steven May and possibly Nev.

  • Quote
    • Like 2
      On 01/11/2019 at 23:28, Skuit said:

    It's almost Monty Pythonesque. 

    Bennell states his desire to join our club. 

    We're then concerned about his mental state. 

    Or Catch 22. 
     

    My gut says the club aren’t as concerned about his mental health, as they are about his physicality. Aside from his new-found family man status, getting out of WA is a big factor. There’s something rotten in the culture of both the WA teams. Admittedly, Bennell has been a contributor to this issue, but both teams have been pretty negligent when it comes to preventing certain members of the community - specifically bikies - gaining access to the clubs. I know this was a constant frustration for Ross Lyon. WCE have been making a concerted effort to address this in the past couple of years, wit the Dockers dragging behind a bit.

    The city, as well as the club, would be good for him.  

     

     

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     

    At least in Melbourne he will be 1 player in roughly 440+ other players to analyse and disect their games in the papers/boards like this, but when you are at an intersate club there are only 87+ other players, so the spotlight is more likely to fall on players like him because of his potential, injury query and lack of consistant results.

  • Quote
      On 02/11/2019 at 01:04, durango said:

    At least in Melbourne he will be 1 player in roughly 440+ other players to analyse and disect their games in the papers/boards like this, but when you are at an intersate club there are only 87+ other players, so the spotlight is more likely to fall on players like him because of his potential, injury query and lack of consistant results.

    Perth is a fishbowl with only two teams - that’s for sure, but even in Melbourne Bennell will always be of particular interest to the frothing media given his checkered history. 

  • Quote
    • Like 2

      On 02/11/2019 at 02:44, dazzledavey36 said:

    Paywall.

    Clear history restarts your free-article count. 

     

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     
      On 02/11/2019 at 02:44, dazzledavey36 said:

    Paywall.

    “The Demons are hopeful former Docker Harley Bennell will train with them with a view to being placed on the rookie list as he makes solid progress in his return from calf issues that kept him sidelined at Fremantle.

    Surgery has given him a chance to recuperate as he builds slowly towards fitness and while the Demons will not be signing him as a delisted free agent they would like him to train with them in the hope of resurrecting their career.“

  • Quote
    • Thanks 1

    X factor is what we crave - 

    if this works out he could set the G alight ! 

    dare to dream but If This helps us to convince Jack Martin - 10 games out of Bennell

    Im booking leave for September. 
     

  • Quote

      On 02/11/2019 at 02:56, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

    Clear history restarts your free-article count. 

     

    Thanks mate.

    My biggest worry if that if we are only offering to have him train in hope of picking him up later, then Geelong could swoop in and get him as a delisted free agent which gives him security straight away.

  • Quote
    • Like 3
      On 02/11/2019 at 03:11, dazzledavey36 said:

    Thanks mate.

    My biggest worry if that if we are only offering to have him train in hope of picking him up later, then Geelong could swoop in and get him as a delisted free agent which gives him security straight away.

    Switching into incognito mode also works a charm.

    Article sounds like a lack of commitment from our end. Surely you would take the risk over keeping an ANB, Spargo or Wagner on the list.

    Edited by olisik

  • Quote
    • Like 2
      On 02/11/2019 at 03:03, deeology said:

    “The Demons are hopeful former Docker Harley Bennell ...

    Some more from the article

    "Bennell would add outside pace to the group if he could regain fitness, with the Demons having added Fremantle's Ed Langdon and the Giants' Adam Tomlinson during the trade period and losing Sam Frost to Hawthorn.

    Melbourne were also keen to catch up with stranded former Sun Jack Martin ahead of the pre-season draft but were unlikely to pick him unless he showed he was open to joining them. All indications so far are that he has his heart set on joining the Blues."

  • Quote
      On 02/11/2019 at 03:11, dazzledavey36 said:

    Thanks mate.

    My biggest worry if that if we are only offering to have him train in hope of picking him up later, then Geelong could swoop in and get him as a delisted free agent which gives him security straight away.

    Surely with his injury history, thats too big a risk?

  • Quote

      On 02/11/2019 at 03:11, dazzledavey36 said:

    Thanks mate.

    My biggest worry if that if we are only offering to have him train in hope of picking him up later, then Geelong could swoop in and get him as a delisted free agent which gives him security straight away.

    Probably a stupid question but can you rookie list a DFA? 

  • Quote
      On 02/11/2019 at 04:23, Ethan Tremblay said:

    Probably a stupid question but can you rookie list a DFA? 

    You cant rookie list a DFA before the draft, but you can select a SPP (anyone who nominates for the draft) player to be on your rookie list after the draft. 

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1
      On 02/11/2019 at 04:23, Ethan Tremblay said:

    Probably a stupid question but can you rookie list a DFA? 

    Essentially, this is what is being suggested that Melbourne wants to do with Bennell by having him agree to train with the club with a view to selecting him as a pre-season supplemental selection in March 2020 in the same way as we took Jay Lockhart as a rookie in March this year.

    Obviously, as part of the deal, he would have to reach the club’s required standards of fitness and conduct in that time. 

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Thanks 2
      On 02/11/2019 at 04:29, Deefiant said:

    You cant rookie list a DFA before the draft, but you can select a SPP (anyone who nominates for the draft) player to be on your rookie list after the draft. 

    Thanks, I read somewhere that Geelong will only have a rookie spot left on their list if they want Bennell. 

    Edited by Ethan Tremblay

  • Quote
      On 02/11/2019 at 04:36, Ethan Tremblay said:

    Thanks, I read somewhere that after Geelong will only have a rookie spot left on their list if they want Bennell, I’m unsure if this is true or not. 

    As per the previous posts, a rookie spot is all that would be required to secure Bennell so Geelong could reach the same deal as the one suggested.

     In fact, a sign that Melbourne might be edging closer to such a deal could be the upgrading of a current rookie to the primary list.

  • Quote
    • Thanks 1

      On 02/11/2019 at 03:11, dazzledavey36 said:

    Thanks mate.

    My biggest worry if that if we are only offering to have him train in hope of picking him up later, then Geelong could swoop in and get him as a delisted free agent which gives him security straight away.

    Read between the lines and I think you will find he has agreed to come to us, in this way.

    It reduces pressure on him from fans and the media, to play early, as he will be a rookie and then when he is available and has earned senior selection, he can then be uplifted to the senior list.

    It is a sensible method of him becoming a Demon, if he has agreed to come to us and IMO that now appears to have happened.

    Interestingly we would still have 6 spots on our list to fill and I note Taylor said we would take 3-4 in the draft.

    That suggests to me that we will take a DFA or 2 as well.

     

  • Quote
    • Like 4
      On 02/11/2019 at 04:46, Whispering_Jack said:

    As per the previous posts, a rookie spot is all that would be required to secure Bennell so Geelong could reach the same deal as the one suggested.

     In fact, a sign that Melbourne might be edging closer to such a deal could be the upgrading of a current rookie to the primary list.

    How many rookies do we currently have WJ?

  • Quote
      On 02/11/2019 at 04:47, Redleg said:

    Read between the lines and I think you will find he has agreed to come to us, in this way.

    It reduces pressure on him from fans and the media, to play early, as he will be a rookie and then when he is available and has earned senior selection, he can then be uplifted to the senior list.

    It is a sensible method of him becoming a Demon, if he has agreed to come to us and IMO that now appears to have happened.

    Interestingly we would still have 6 spots on our list to fill and I note Taylor said we would take 3-4 in the draft.

    That suggests to me that we will take a DFA or 2 as well.

     

    But if you think about it from a Bennell perspective surely you'd rather the guarantee of at least a contracted year through DFA/draft than going preseason with the chance of being picked up. I think if any club offers him a 1 year contract he'll take it over what has been reported to be what we have on offer.

  • Quote
    •  
      On 02/11/2019 at 04:47, Redleg said:

    Interestingly we would still have 6 spots on our list to fill and I note Taylor said we would take 3-4 in the draft.

    That suggests to me that we will take a DFA or 2 as well.

    Not necessarily.

    With the way the list numbers work now (long story short) we can add anywhere from 3-5 senior players to our list as it currently stands.

     

  • Quote

    • 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...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • PREVIEW: Fremantle

      A month is a long time in AFL football. The proof of this is in the current state of the two teams contesting against each other early this Saturday afternoon at the MCG. It’s hard to fathom that when Melbourne and Fremantle kicked off the 2025 season, the former looked like being a major player in this year’s competition after it came close to beating one of the favourites in the GWS Giants while the latter was smashed by Geelong to the tune of 78 points and looked like rubbish. Fast forward to today and the Demons are low on confidence and appear panic stricken as their winless streak heads towards an even half dozen and pressure mounts on the coach and team leadership.  Meanwhile, the Dockers have recovered their composure and now sit in the top eight. They are definitely on the up and up and look most likely winners this weekend against a team which they have recently dominated and which struggles to find enough passages to the goals to trouble the scorers. And with that, Fremantle will head to the MCG, feeling very good about itself after demolishing Richmond in the Barossa Valley with Josh Treacy coming off a six goal haul and facing up to a Melbourne defence already without Jake Lever and a shaky Steven May needing to pass a fitness test just to make it onto the field of play. 

        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: Round 06

      The Easter Round kicks off in style with a Thursday night showdown between Brisbane and Collingwood, as both sides look to solidify their spots inside the Top 4 early in the season. Good Friday brings a double-header, with Carlton out to claim consecutive wins when they face the struggling Kangaroos, while later that night the Eagles host the Bombers in Perth, still chasing their first victory of the year. Saturday features another marquee clash as the resurgent Crows look to rebound from back-to-back losses against a formidable GWS outfit. That evening, all eyes will be on Marvel Stadium where Damien Hardwick returns to face his old side—the Tigers—coaching the Suns at a ground he's never hidden his disdain for. Sunday offers two crucial contests where the prize is keeping touch with the Top 8. First, Sydney and Port Adelaide go head-to-head, followed by a fierce battle between the Bulldogs and the Saints. Then, Easter Monday delivers the traditional clash between two bitter rivals, both desperate for a win to stay in touch with the top end of the ladder. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons?

        • Thanks
      • 101 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Essendon

      What were they thinking? I mean by “they” the coaching panel and team selectors who chose the team to play against an opponent who, like Melbourne, had made a poor start to the season and who they appeared perfectly capable of beating in what was possibly the last chance to turn the season around.It’s no secret that the Demons’ forward line is totally dysfunctional, having opened the season barely able to average sixty points per game which means there has been no semblance of any system from the team going forward into attack. Nevertheless, on Saturday night at the Adelaide Oval in one of the Gather Round showcase games, Melbourne, with Max Gawn dominating the hit outs against a depleted Essendon ruck resulting from Nick Bryan’s early exit, finished just ahead in clearances won and found itself inside the 50 metre arc 51 times to 43. The end result was a final score that had the Bombers winning 15.6 (96) to 8.9 (57). On balance, one could expect this to result in a two or three goal win, but in this case, it translated into a six and a half goal defeat because they only managed to convert eight times or 11.68% of their entries. The Bombers more than doubled that. On Thursday night at the same ground, the losing team Adelaide managed to score 100 points from almost the same number of times inside 50.

        • Sad
        • Clap
        • Like
      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: Essendon

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 14th April @ the all new time of 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we dissect another Demons loss at Kardinia Park to the Cats in the Round 04. Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human.

        • Thanks
      • 62 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • 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?

        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 409 replies
      Demonland
      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.

        • Thanks
      • 24 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All