Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
Demonland

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - HARLEY BENNELL

Tinks
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

It was a gamble on both parts. The club held up our end of the deal but Harley obviously has [censored] going on in his life that is bigger than footy. 
 

On the upside, I did win a carton of beer off a mate who bet we wouldn’t get more than 3 games out of him. ?

  • Quote
    • Sad 1
     

    I'm confused.   I thought the plan this year was to get him to play a few games.  A huge achievement and he didn't re-injure his calf. 

    Then he does a proper pre-season and next year we see what he can do.  

  • Quote
    •  
    9 minutes ago, one_demon said:

    I'm confused.   I thought the plan this year was to get him to play a few games.  A huge achievement and he didn't re-injure his calf. 

    Then he does a proper pre-season and next year we see what he can do.  

    The covid breach was the last straw.

  • Quote

    Was always a risk on both parties but regardless I think we made the right call to give him a shot. His goal after the siren against the suns was one of the highlights of the year for mine. I really hope despite his latest indiscretion, that he's got his life back on the right track.

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    no loss purely from a football point of view .Harleys body was never right for AFL footy and i am confident that we would never be able to get it right no matter what was attempted  .Another of our feel good stories that came to a sad end.

  • Quote
    3 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

    The covid breach was the last straw.

    But wouldn't his on field value next year have been more valuable than the recent bad PR and 50k fine? Obviously not...

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    6 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

    The covid breach was the last straw.

    What were the earlier "straws"?

  • Quote
    • Like 2
     

    I’m far from impressed with how this bloke has conducted himself. He’s shown his true colours imv.

    He’s fed us a bull crap story about why he left the hub. Hasn’t the decency to face the club to explain himself. We gave him an opportunity, got him fit and back on the paddock and all we have to show for it is a $50k fine (a support salary). I don’t know whether not being offered a contract led to this behaviour but its no excuse.

    Well done to the medical team. We have many inadequacies in the club but it looks like we’re elite in one area at least.

  • Quote
    • Like 5
    1 minute ago, The Lobster Effect said:

    But wouldn't his on field value next year have been more valuable than the recent bad PR

    I would think so.   We need his foot skills badly. 

  • Quote

    15 minutes ago, one_demon said:

    I'm confused.   I thought the plan this year was to get him to play a few games.  A huge achievement and he didn't re-injure his calf. 

    Then he does a proper pre-season and next year we see what he can do.  

    You can't give a contract to someone that's actively trying to avoid talking to the club, his employer.

    If you're asked to come in for a job interview and you don't show, it can't then be a huge surprise that you don't get the gig.

  • Quote
    • Like 3
    Just now, Wobbly Bob said:

    What were the earlier "straws"?

    His career as a whole he's 28 not 18.

  • Quote

    A shame for him and an even bigger shame for the person who doesn’t have a job next year because we need to cover Harley’s $50,000 fine. 
    Just a crap ending all around. 

    Edited by Jaded

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    • Sad 1

    Melbourne gave him an opportunity and Harley had one last chance to test/prove himself.

    Lack of VFL didn't help but seemingly (from an outsive POV) he either lost the appetite (or has more important things going on his life) or knew his body wasn't up to it. With Burgo in charge you assume the club gave him the best chance of succeeding medically but unfortunately it didn't seem to work out but at least he got back on the pitch and had one last good memory. 

    The COVID indiscretion/fall out does leave the experiment with a sour taste unfortunately though. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    4 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

    Waiver the fine Gil, you mustard blazer floppy hat wearing thunderbird looking weirdo. 

    Very subtle?.  I'd suggest we pay the fine and separately ask the AFL to fund a position in the club justified by some fairy tale that the MFC and AFL concoct.

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    • Haha 1
    11 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

    Waiver the fine Gil, you mustard blazer floppy hat wearing thunderbird looking weirdo. 

    And the 4 week suspension too!!

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Haha 1

    Oh well. We rolled the dice. And 50k isn’t the end of the world. Damn shame about his whole career though. Talent running out his wazoo, but brain farts and injuries robbed the game of some great moments 

  • Quote

    12 minutes ago, sue said:

    Very subtle?.  I'd suggest we pay the fine and separately ask the AFL to fund a position in the club justified by some fairy tale that the MFC and AFL concoct.

    images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSsPrwSfAifm67FzpIFIM8

  • Quote
    • Like 3

    Disappointed he refused to speak to the club. 
    he has cost us a job next year

     

  • Quote
    • Like 2
     

    Cut short he had something to offer himself and the club. Bennell just needed to lift a notch wrapping him in cotton wool and having him ready  2021.   

    Bennell made his own decision he must live with it. IMO he club did the best they for him.

  • Quote
    • Like 3

    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

    • GAMEDAY: St. Kilda

      It’s Game Day, and 205 days have passed since the final siren sounded at the MCG, bringing Melbourne’s 2025 season to a close and marking the end of an era. In just a few hours, a new chapter begins for the Demons. What are you most hoping to see from Melbourne today?

        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 191 replies
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: Round 01

      With Opening Round done and dusted, Round 1 sees the full AFL competition finally swing into action for 2026. Discuss all the games this week that do not involve the Dees, share your tips, and let us know which results would suit Demons best.

        • Like
      • 383 replies
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: 2026 Season Preview

      The boys previewed the 2026 Season sharing their early impressions of the new coach, the new players, observations from preseason training, and what they've made of the new game style. They also look ahead to the season with their predictions, the players they expect to rise, their expectations for the team, and what they see as a realistic pass mark for Melbourne in 2026.

        • Clap
        • Love
        • Like
      • 14 replies
      Demonland

    • PREVIEW: St. Kilda

      When the Demons blew their 46-point lead at Marvel Stadium in Round 20 last year, the fallout was enormous. Like an event straight out of a Shakespearean tragedy, Melbourne’s final-quarter collapse left fans reeling and the club grappling with the aftermath. 

        • Clap
        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 10 replies
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: St. Kilda

      With just over two weeks until their opening match of the 2026 AFL Premiership season, the Demons are already well on the path to redemption and have the Saints firmly in their sights ahead of their mid-March clash at the MCG. What do you think the team will look like when they run out on to the G?

        • Clap
        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 654 replies
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: 2026 Opening Round

      Finally the 2026 AFL Premiership Season is upon us. While Melbourne sits out Opening Round, there is still plenty of footy to enjoy with five non-MFC clashes to kick off the new season. It all begins on Thursday night with a blockbuster at the SCG as Sydney hosts Carlton in what should be a strong early test for both sides. On Friday night, Gold Coast gets its chance to open the season in front of a home crowd when the Suns and Christian Petracca take on Geelong at People First Stadium. Saturday features a double-header, starting in the afternoon with Greater Western Sydney and Clayton Oliver meeting the Hawks at Engie Stadium. That is followed on Saturday night by Brisbane Lions hosting the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba, with the Lions embarking on their campaign to win the Threepeat. Opening Round wraps up on Sunday night at the MCG, where St Kilda takes on Collingwood in the only game in town in the first week of the season. There is no shortage of storylines across the round, so discuss all the action from the non-MFC games of Opening Round.

        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 557 replies
      Demonland
    View All

    Account

    Navigation

    Search

    Search

    Configure browser push notifications
    Chrome (Android)
    1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
    2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
    3. Adjust your preference.
    Chrome (Desktop)
    1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
    2. Select Site settings.
    3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.