TeamPlayedFine39

His stats look great to me - don't see many quiet patches at all whilst fit: https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/H/Harley_Bennell.html Especially being a young player in struggling start-up team with a 24.7% winning rate.

This. I've been thinking I missed some big reveal along the way and didn't wanna look like an idiot. He might not be Adem Yze, but he's certainly not as bad a kick as this thread is making him sound.

Wont fault any kid that lays 9 tackles on debut. Hopefully we'll see further development in his game this year - far too early to tell either way.

Very happy to hear that he'll be joining us - it's a risk, but a calculated one with the potential to improve our list significantly. New city, young family and a final chance at his AFL career will hopefully be enough to keep him on track. Now all we need is that calf/nerve to behave and Burgess to spin a little magic and we'll be flying!

Petracca, Salem, Lever and ANB seem to have spent their time in the US visiting and training at different high performance venues across the country. Definitely don't seem to be taking it easy. (also shows ridiculous money in the US 'College' system.)

Hes ‘liked’ both of these for what it’s worth...

Clear history restarts your free-article count.

I don’t disagree with the assessment, but Grundy is the cautionary tale here. He was rated top three for most of his U18 year, but slid to 18 because ‘You don’t take a ruckman early in the draft’. If clubs had the 2012 draft over again, they’d snap up Grundy quick smart. Not to say that Jackson is or will be as good, but the aversion to taking rucks early cost everyone a multiple all Australian ruckman who everyone knew could play.

Not that I’m getting carried away... but Langdon, Tomlinson, Bennell, Martin, pick 3 and 8... that’s a pretty good trade/draft period.

Stats from his past 10 WAFL matches.

I’ve only seen that mentioned on Demonland and nowhere else. (Unless I’ve missed something)

Whilst very disappointing... we had been such a train-wreck of a side for their entire careers, it’s understandable. For Frawley, the free agency compo meant that I doubt anyone was too concerned about him leaving for the Hawks. But in Howe’s case, there’s no way he was going to stay. We believed that he was going to the GC for pick 7 and a trailer full of cash- then Collingwood swooped at the 11th hour and he changed his mind. There was never any chance he was staying with us though.

Was offered a fortune by Gold Coast and left for less money than Melb and GC so he could join Collingwood. Howe had one foot out the door for years. Like Frawley, he’d had enough of the MFC.

With this much doubt on his readiness and the wisdom of taking a ruck in the top ten... seems to be a very strong chance he’ll be there at 8. Both Kemp and Jackson are long term propositions that would have minimal expectations to have an immediate impact. Happy to take either at 8.

Reminds me a lot of Andy Lovell (looks, build, Tasmanian). Looked good up forward this year before tiring out. Was a huge ask to take the leap from VFL amateur to AFL player within a couple of weeks. Didn’t look overwhelmed. Will be interesting to see where he trains over summer. Could be our long term small defender. Good pace, size, disposal and tough.

Bit NQR and, all things considered, has done well with the talent and body that he has. Pass for me.

Clark..?

Great news! One of the most improved players in the AFL and is unrecognisable from the player he was two years ago. Sky’s the limit.

Exactly. Short contract and low wage. If he stuffs up- we pay him out and show him the door. However, hopefully he’s gained some perspective on life and his career and his family has given him the motivation to succeed at the top level. Im getting excited.

Not to mention it’s our first round one road trip since 1998...

Hopefully hasn’t looked at the fixture announcement today...

Obviously not ideal, but there are a couple of things in our favour... 1. Better preparation time. Top teams of 2018 all struggled in the opening couple of rounds this year against teams that had longer preseasons. 2. We actually have a decent record against WC over there compared to most: 2016: WCE by 6. (Dominated but we’re inaccurate- should have won) 2017: MEL by 3. (Close all night- great goal to win) 2018: MEL by 17. (Depleted Eagles but we dominated play all day) 2018: WCE by 66. (Can’t recall the details) 2019: WCE by 19. (Led all night until last quarter fade-out) 3. I’m predicting the Eagles to slide in 2020.

Yep- but as you’ve alluded to, there are big risks involved with that. Would hate to see him carve up the track with is Dec-Jan only to see Hawthorn descend from on high to offer a contract that trumps ours. If he joins a team for preseason, you can bet every club will be watching him very closely. Have to back in our medical team. If they think the can get him up and playing... I’m all for taking the risk.

It’s been reported since September that 4 clubs had shown interest, with Sydney being the only one revealed on the media. That number went to 6 clubs inquiring during the trade period. Geelong only came out as interested last week. Who knows! Quite possible we were one of the original 4 with Sydney. We’re generally pretty tight with keeping these things quiet.

https://m.afl.com.au/news/2019-07-30/bennell-finds-new-calf-guru-successful-surgery-identifies-nerve-issue