Mentor Andrew Krakouer says new Demon Harley Bennell belongs on the MCG
Mentor Andrew Krakouer says Harley Bennell is made for the MCG after the luckless former Sun and Docker secured an AFL lifeline with Melbourne on Tuesday. Will it be third time lucky?
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Newly-signed Demon Harley Bennell is made for the MCG spotlight, according to his mentor Andrew Krakouer.
Bennell, 27, spoke exclusively to the Herald Sun about his comeback bid before he started training with Melbourne in November.
He was confident specialists had cracked the code to reignite his stalled 83-game career and earned a third opportunity at AFL level on Tuesday.
Bennell has undergone multiple bouts of surgery on his troublesome calves since breaking down again playing WAFL on June 23 but was given the all clear by doctors to start running again late last year.
“There were times when I needed some time off, but I’ve never given up,” Bennell told the Herald Sun.
“I grew up dreaming of playing AFL football, and I think I’ve still got plenty to give.
“If I can get the body right, anything can happen.”
Tendons pushing onto nerves in both of Bennell’s calves have been removed as part of his radical rehabilitation plan.
Garry: Have you got another Marlion Pickett you're going to drop into the system?
— Garry and Tim (@SENBreakfast) November 7, 2019
Balme: I look at Harley Bennell go to train at Melbourne and I'm not sure whether I like that or not, because I remember one game at Geelong when we played the Gold Coast he kicked 5 himself!
“At first I was a bit iffy about it, but I’d heard other players like Sam Reid at Sydney had done it, so fingers crossed it will all work out,” Bennell said.
The 2010 No. 2 draft pick reunited with long-time mate and mentor, “fellow Noongar man” Andrew Krakouer, as he settled into life in Melbourne.
“Harley is in the best mental and physical shape of his life,” Krakouer said.
“And I truly believe that Melbourne is the best place for him. The MCG is where he belongs.
“As a goalkicking midfielder – if he gets his body right – I have no doubt he’ll tear up AFL games again.”
FT: Gold Coast 17.15 (118) def Geelong 11.12 (78). Sun-sational! First time Suns beat Cats. Bennell with six goals: http://t.co/T2eBPRsKXO
— SuperFooty (AFL) (@superfooty) June 21, 2014
KRAKOUER BACKS BENNELL’S BID FOR THIRD CHANCE
Harley Bennell doesn’t hide his love for his old coach, Ross Lyon.
“He’s like my dad, because he cares about me,” Bennell says.
Two games across four injury-plagued seasons left Fremantle with little choice but to cut Bennell adrift, but he’s grateful for the faith Lyon and the Dockers placed in him.
Bennell, his partner Amy and their infant daughter Carter Ivy shifted to Melbourne in November ahead of the pre-season campaign that would make or break an 83-game career that started at the Gold Coast Suns nine years ago.
“There’s a bit of nervousness, but I’m also excited to be in Melbourne,” he says.
“I feel comfortable here. We think this is the right place to be.
“Hopefully it all works out.”
An electrifying talent at his best, even Bennell’s most optimistic backers suspected it was all over when he trudged of Lathlain Park in suburban Perth on June 23 having broken down yet again playing for Peel Thunder in the WAFL.
But a new approach led by Geelong-based injury specialist Peter Stanton, who arranged for a Brisbane surgeon to remove tendons pushing onto nerves in both of Bennell’s calves, has led to another AFL chance.
Melbourne high performance boss Darren Burgess gave Bennell a light fitness program before he officially joined the club on December 3.
Another secret weapon in Bennell’s corner has been mate and mentor Krakouer.
A 20 year old Harley Bennell kicking 6 goals, 27 possessions Vs Geelong for Gold Coast. https://t.co/WweBfdxUvv
— TMT (@TMT17) June 9, 2019
Krakouer, 36, now in the construction game with Multiplex, went to prison midway through his own AFL career and knows all about the road to redemption.
“Harley is older now, he is wiser and he understands the opportunities that he has let slip,” Krakouer says.
“During my time in football, I let a unique opportunity slip when I was at Richmond.
“I was fortunate enough to be presented with a second opportunity at Collingwood and I took it with both hands, and I’m sure Harley will be no different.
“If he gets an opportunity, Harley will return the faith in spades.
“He is an enormous talent, and is ready to make a big impact on the competition.
“I think football clubs are in the best position they’ve been in to manage players from different backgrounds and experiences.
“And being a fellow Noongar man, we connected well pretty early. I’m a huge wrap for him, not only as a footballer but as a person.
“You do have your dark times, once you have injuries, there’s no doubt there are times where you think it’s all too hard, but you realise it’s a process.”
Bennell has had his share of off-field trouble, too, but Krakouer says “people are quick to judge”.
“I don’t think the publicised culture of the Gold Coast was conducive to Harley being the best he could be,” he says.
“Equally, I don’t think Perth was necessarily the right place for him.”
But Bennell says he has no qualms with Fremantle’s medical team, who failed to fix his injured legs.
“I did my four years there, we tried everything, but I just needed a fresh start and a new set of eyes,” he says.
“It was miserable at times, suiting up and going to games.
“You want to be out there with your boots on, not sitting in the box watching on, because you know what you can do to help the team to win; and all I want to do is win. I hate losing.”
MORE NEWS:
AFL draft 2019: Gary Buckenara on the young prospects still on the draft table
Dylan Buckley: How to make a good impression as an AFL draftee and what not to do in your first year
AFL draft 2019: Who will be taken in the first round?
Bennell revealed his former Suns teammate Steven May had played a role in helping him secure his pre-season opportunity at the Demons.
“He’s fit and he’s flying. I haven’t seen him like this since the early days of the Suns,” Bennell says.
With a dose of long-overdue good luck, Bennell might get the chance to remind the football world of his own special talents.
Originally published as Mentor Andrew Krakouer says new Demon Harley Bennell belongs on the MCG