Former AFL player Harley Bennell joins Southern league club

Former Gold Coast Suns, Fremantle and Melbourne player Harley Bennell has linked with a local football club in Melbourne. Here’s the latest.

Suns player Harley Bennell reacts after the round 21 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Essendon Bombers at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, Saturday, August 22, 2015. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Former Gold Coast Suns, Fremantle and Melbourne player Harley Bennell will feature in the Southern Football Netball League this year, lacing up for Port Melbourne Colts.

Bennell played 88 games at AFL level after being taken by the Suns with pick 2 in the 2010 National Draft.

The 30-year-old recently signed with Port Melbourne in the VFL and has played the opening two matches.

Bennell will join fellow 2010 draftees Josh Caddy and Billie Smedts at the Colts.

Josh Caddy (far left) and Harley Bennell (far right) will stand alongside each other once again.

When Bennell isn’t playing for the Borough in their four byes this year, the Colts are hoping he will be released to play local footy.

“Him and Josh (Caddy) know each other from the draft, and they’ve kept in contact forever,” Colts’ Football Operations Manager Elton Stevens said.

“He had a good season in the NT and he’s holding onto the hopes of getting drafted again one day.

“If we got him for one or two games it would be unreal, we would really like to get him down for NAIDOC week because we are building that up.

“If Port release him we will take him every time… I think he will bring a bit of wisdom, excitement and help the younger guys out.”

The Borough have byes in Round 7, 13 and 20 of the VFL season which align with the Colts’ matches against Bentleigh (twice), Mordialloc and Cranbourne.