Jump to content

Discussion on recent allegations about the use of illicit drugs in football is forbidden
  • IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

    Posting unsubstantiated rumours on this website is strictly forbidden.

    Demonland has made the difficult decision to not permit this platform to be used to discuss & debate the off-field issues relating to the Melbourne Football Club including matters currently being litigated between the Club & former Board members, board elections, the issue of illicit drugs in footy, the culture at the club & the personal issues & allegations against some of our players & officials ...

    We do not take these issues & this decision lightly & of course we believe that these serious matters affecting the club we love & are so passionate about are worthy of discussion & debate & I wish we could provide a place where these matters can be discussed in a civil & respectful manner.

    However these discussions unfortunately invariably devolve into areas that may be defamatory, libelous, spread unsubstantiated rumours & can effect the mental health of those involved. Even discussion & debate of known facts or media reports can lead to finger pointing, blame & personal attacks.

    The repercussion is that these discussions can open this website, it’s owners & it’s users to legal action & may result in this website being forced to shutdown.

    Our moderating team are all volunteers & cannot moderate the forum 24/7 & as a consequence problematic content that contravenes our rules & standards may go unnoticed for some time before it can be removed.

    We reserve the right to delete posts that offend against our above policy & indeed, to ban posters who are repeat offenders or who breach our code of conduct.

    WE HAVE BUILT A FANTASTIC ONLINE COMMUNITY AT DEMONLAND OVER THE PAST 23 YEARS & WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THE CLUB WE LOVE & ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT.

    Thank you for your continued support & understanding. Go Dees.


WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - HARLEY BENNELL


Tinks

Recommended Posts

1 hour ago, dees189227 said:

Well we gave him a chance and he didn't make the most of it. 

I wonder if 5  10 years down the track Harley looks back and thinks what could have been. 

He had all the talent but never took advantage of it. 

I hope he gets his life to a peaceful place. 

Well said. Very similar to the teams season. Had a chance and didn't make the most of it. Got the talent but never took advantage of it. I bloody hope we long suffering supporters get to be in a peaceful place soon.

That aside wishing HB all the best. AND also our team.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I may be way off base with this, but going to throw it out there nonetheless.

I reckon Covid killed his career. Hear me out.

He appeared to get his life back on track, away from footy. From all reports he was on track during the early parts of the season and even post-Covid break. I don't think he's built for the footy club life, and he was able to stay 'outside' of it while in Melbourne, and had his family to get away to. Covid hubs come along and he just can't escape the boys. There's nowhere to hide. Now he's basically forced to watch them have a good time, with a few beers no doubt, and can't get away from it, so he's drawn back into that world. The world that destroyed his career in the first place. Add to that the he basically had nothing to do with no 2nds competition and the outcome was almost inevitable.

Like I say, I may be way off base, but I'm prepared to cut him some slack. I wish him all the best for the rest of his life, and I think you'll find, away from footy, he'll be back on track pretty quickly.

  • Like 6
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Pates said:

Part of me can’t help but wonder how things would’ve gone had COVID not happened. He came to MELBOURNE, not just the team but the city for a fresh start with his family. Instead he ended up back in Queensland where everything started turning, in a hub with people he has known for less than a year, and without a second tier league for the club to properly reintroduce him back to footy with. 

None of these are excuses, as a footy club I really think we did everything we could to help him and regardless of what has transpired and will happen in the future I still think we have been a positive impact on him. He was a free hit, we got his body working again but the mind is a harder prospect particularly when it comes to things like depression and substance/alcohol addiction. 

I’m absolutely gutted that it hasn’t worked, I think the demon faithful would’ve fallen in love with watching him at the G. This is on Harley and now that footy hasn’t worked he needs to knuckle down and sort his s*** out not just for himself but for his partner and kid(s). 

Well done to the club, good luck to Harley. 

Sorry Pates, I hadn't seen this before I posted. Exactly what I think.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Unfortunate as I had hoped a longer career with us.  Maybe the expectation of what was required to succeed by MFC standards (AFL today) in training, by burgo and co, was beyond what he wanted to commit too.  If all his development at was GC, they may not have pushed him due to his natural talent.  Bit like May when he first arrived, who did adjust to the higher standards and now reaping the rewards.  If covid had not happened it may have been different,  I'm sure at home point we'll hear something.  But good luck to him and the family.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, kallangurdemon said:

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.

Could it be that Harleys calf problem was always on his mind while playing and as a result we didn't see him stretch out and show his real speed and skills. Playing 'with the brakes on' was not conducive to being the player we hoped he would be. Reason for his non selection in the last half of the season? Just a theory anyway.

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


3 minutes ago, Bobby McKenzie said:

Could it be that Harleys calf problem was always on his mind while playing and as a result we didn't see him stretch out and show his real speed and skills. Playing 'with the brakes on' was not conducive to being the player we hoped he would be. Reason for his non selection in the last half of the season? Just a theory anyway.

I'm sure the club was working on this, having come back from different injuries it takes time to get confidence back.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

25 minutes ago, FireInTheBennelly said:

Sorry Pates, I hadn't seen this before I posted. Exactly what I think.

All good mate! Glad I’m not the only one who thought along those lines, it’s not making excuses for his poor choices but I feel we’ve missed the opportunity to give him his best chance by having to go into the hubs. 

Just as another aside, I have zero doubt that had he been living in Melbourne he would’ve had Ross Lyon as someone to go to for help and guidance. It’s not the same over the phone. 

At the end of the day he made his (bad) choices, you have to own your mistakes and sadly I think we’ve missed out on another supremely talented footballer due. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wish him well for the future.

A pity as he had great skills & vision, but nearly 4 years out was too much to recover in a season.

You have to own what you do, and his last night hub actions were an incredibly bad choice, unfortunately it seems one of many during his career!

Good luck!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

I'm hearing, second hand, that Harley has been taken to hospital after big night.

Cause or effect ?  Either way really very sad for Harley and his family.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Someone from the club, a friend, an ex-teammate, someone he trusts, needs to get to that hospital and try to talk some sense into him and figure out a way to get him back to his family. But if he has his mind set on a bender then I don’t know where this will finish up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sad end.

Hopefully the club can still support him. I know the fine was his fault  but he's probably hating himself right now due to the COVID breach and letting the club down and quite possibly throwing away the his 'last chance', the only thing he knows in life/wanted to do. The comments left by "fans" on his social media won't be helping either way. He needs support and not a pile on. 

I know they're younger and the breaches were different but I don't recall seeing as many online negative comments against Spargo/Pickett. I might be wrong here, but I guess some fans felt extra hurt by this one. (Don't get me wrong he should have known better etc but we don't know what other people are going through).

Tantamount to a long term break up really.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

In hindsight if the club wanted to keep him for another year they should've sent him back to Melbourne or even Perth once it was clear he wasn't going to play for the rest of the season.

Seems abundantly clear that the Gold Coast isn't a good spot for him.

He really did seem contrite about doing his best for his family. Would be very sad if he spirals out of control.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 hours ago, Lord Travis said:

Sad that it ended this way, but it's for the best. Harley clearly struggled both mentally and physically this year. Though he was able to get back playing, he was still a shell of his former self on-field.  

It's a credit to our fitness staff that they got him back fit enough to get through AFL matches without breaking down. No other club was able to get him to the level we did. Combine that with a brilliant injury run this season and the fitness and medical staff get a massive tick for 2020.

Looks like it was your mail that was wrong unfortunately, not mine.

Sounds like your your post hasn't worked out.. ?

You'll note my use of the word 'Had' 

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Reported that Bennell has been hospitalized after a bender. I fear for him without the football environment to keep him in line. He's got serious issues and a long road ahead of him. Quite sad.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/harley-bennell-taken-to-hospital-on-gold-coast-20200929-p5606o.html

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all.    On that rainy Friday night at the Adelaide Oval, Ken Hinkley’s young midfield secured much more than four points on offer. The victory over one of the big dogs of the competition after a succession of wins over some of its lesser lights gave his team respect and validation fo

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Monday 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training. DEMON DYNASTY'S TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Kade Chandler's left knee heavily strapped. BBB, Spargs & Jake Lever also in rehab group. Jake Bowey solo running separate kicking/sprint/agility drills. Super fine morning / early arvo at Gosch's for the boys to blow out some cobwebs. Choco initially had the light duties / rehab group

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter. By the time they worked out it was game on, their opponents from Box Hill had accumulated five goals and, if the game wasn’t over, it might as well have been. For a se

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Casey Articles

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head. The Demons have now won nine of their last ten encounters with the other result, a draw.     And like a fork, it was the multi-pronged options that Melbourne had all across the ground.  It certainly helped that Hawthorn

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports 8

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in the Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out?

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 262

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 25th March @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we analyse the Demons victory at the MCG against the Hawks in the Round 02. You 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. Listen & Chat

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 46

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 50

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 357

    GAMEDAY: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 437
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

  • Podcast 

  • Podcast 

  • Podcast Stream 


    Open Stream in
    New Window
        TuneIn    Opens in New Tab
  • Support Demonland  



  • 2021 Premiership  

  • Social Media 

  • Non MFC Games  

    NON-MFC: Round 03

    Discussion of all the other games that don't involve the Demons in Round 03 ... READ MORE

    Demonland | Round 03

  • Match Preview      

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 27

  • Latest Podcast      

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The boys dissected the clinical thrashing of Hawks praising the immense performance of Christian Petracca whilst lamenting the injury toll to our defensive unit ... LISTEN

    Demonland | March 26

  • Training  

    Monday, 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • Casey Report      

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • PreGame      

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head out on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out? ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 28

  • Match Report      

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Post Game      

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Votes      

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Game Day      

    GAMEDAY: Round 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Training  

    Friday, 22nd March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin and I attended the Captain's Run at Gosch's Paddock on this lovely sunny morning to bring you the following observations from the training session ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 22

  • Training  

    Tuesday, 19th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin & Walking Civil War attended Tuesday morning's training session at Gosch's Paddock to bring you the following observations ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 19

  • Training  

    Saturday, 16th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin and Dee Zephyr wandered down to Gosch's Paddock on Saturday morning to bring you their observations from the Captain's Run in the lead up to Sunday's Round One match against the Bulldogs ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 16

  • Farewell  

    Angus Brayshaw Retires

    After 167 games including the drought breaking Premiership Angus Brayshaw has made the heart breaking decision to medically retire from football as a result of a series of serious head knocks over his nearly decade of footy. We wish Gus all the best and he'll always be a hero at Demonland ... READ MORE

    Demonland | February 22

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Koltyn Tholstrup Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club’s newest recruit Koltyn Tholstrup to have a chat about his journey from the farm to the Demons, his first few weeks of preseason training, which Dees have impressed him on the track and his aspirations of playing Round 1 ... LISTEN

    Demonland | December 14

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Jason Taylor Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club's National Recruitment Manager Jason Taylor to have a chat about our Trade and Draft period, our newest recruits, our recent recruits who have yet to debut as well as those father son prospects on the horizon ... LISTEN

    Demonland | November 27

  • Next Match 

    .

    Round 03

       vs   

    Saturday 30th March 2024
    @ 07:30pm (AO)

  • MFC Forum  

  • Match Previews & Reports  

  • Training Forum  

  • AFLW Forum  

  • 2024 Player Sponsorship

  • Topics

  • Injury List  


      PLAYER INJURY LENGTH
    Jake Lever Knee Test
    Clayton Oliver Hand Test
    Oliver Sestan Concussion Test
    Steven May Ribs 1 Week
    Lachie Hunter Calf 1 Week
    Daniel Turner Hip 2-3 Weeks
    Charlie Spargo Achilles 2-4 Weeks
    Shane McAdam Hamstring 3-5 Weeks
    Jake Bowey Shoulder 7 Weeks
    Jake Melksham ACL 12-14 Weeks
    Joel Smith Suspension TBA

  • Player of the Year  


        PLAYER VOTES
    1 Christian Petracca 27
    2 Steven May 25
    3 Max Gawn 21
    4 Jack Viney 20
    5 Bayley Fritsch 19
    6 Clayton Oliver 18
    7 Christian Salem 12
    8 Blake Howes 11
    9 Jack Billings 10
    9 Alex Neal-Bullen 10

        FULL TABLE
  • Demonland Interviews 



  • Upcoming Events 

×
×
  • Create New...