Harley Bennell has started training with Melbourne in bid to revive his AFL career
Harley Bennell’s bid to revive his AFL career with Melbourne has officially begun and he has a plan to impress Demons staff to earn himself a playing contract for 2020. See the photos.
Melbourne
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Harley Bennell hopes to back in full training next month as he bids to revive his stalled AFL career at Melbourne.
Bennell officially joined Demons training on Tuesday when he completed a gym session and joined his potential new teammates on the training track on Wednesday.
He was restricted to light jogging and ball work in his first on-field session in the red and blue and spent the majority of the session walking laps around the boundary line at Gosch’s Paddock.
The 27-year-old is on a modified program after multiple bouts of surgery on his troublesome calves but is making steady progress after successfully completing his first run in five months last week.
If he impresses coach Simon Goodwin and Melbourne officials during his training trial, Bennell can be signed during the pre-season supplemental period, which opened on Tuesday.
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When asked what he needs to do to earn a contract for 2020, Bennell said: “Just stick to the program really.
“I like things straight away but I’ll just take my time. Slow and steady here but I can’t wait to get the ball rolling.”
The former No.2 draft pick was delisted by Fremantle midway through this season after playing just two games for the club in four seasons.
Despite his injury problems and some off-field issues, Bennell has remained committed to carving out an AFL career but admitted he did need to take a break.
“I never thought of giving it away, I just needed some time away from football,” he said.
“I was lucky enough that (daughter) Carter came at the right time and it’s just a blessing.
“We’re loving Melbourne, we’ve got some great people around us that can help lead us in the right direction.”
Bennell will be carefully managed by Melbourne’s medical and fitness staff, led by world-renowned new Melbourne fitness boss Darren Burgess, after having surgery to remove the plantaris muscle in both calves which was rubbing on the nerves in the back of his knees.
“We’ve still got a long way to go with the rehab program but I’ll back ‘Burgo’ in, I’ll back the medical staff in here and there’s really exciting times ahead,” Bennell said.
“We got the body rolling last week and I’m excited for the opportunity Melbourne have given me. I can’t wait to go for another trot today and hopefully get the body right.
“Hopefully just before February (I’ll be back in full training). We’ll see how we go.”
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin met with Bennell “three or four times” before he officially started training with the club and is buoyed by what the talented midfielder-forward could offer.
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“We’re really excited about Harley. He’s certainly trying to really turn his life around and put a step forward. We speak about the love of the game, every time I’ve caught up with Harley, he’s 27 and he’s still got a love of the game,” Goodwin told SEN.
“He’s emotional about where his footy has been and where he wants it to get to and he doesn’t want to waste it. We want to give him that opportunity to train with us, prepare as best we can knowing it’s going to be a journey.
“It might take time to get his calf right and not be ready for Round 1, he knows that, but jeez he’s got a love of the game.”