Harley Bennell suffers fresh injury setback as he seeks Melbourne lifeline
Former Docker Harley Bennell’s injury curse has struck again, throwing a dark cloud over his bid to revive his AFL career at Melbourne.
Melbourne
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Harley Bennell has broken down with yet another calf injury.
Bennell this week strained his troublesome left calf as he auditions for a fresh contract with Melbourne.
While the tear is only understood to be minor, it’s a potentially devastating blow for the injury-cursed midfielder, who is clinging to the possibility of securing a Demons contract under pre-season supplemental selection period rules.
Melbourne has been conscious of gently easing Bennell into its summer program, but the former Docker has still struggled to adapt.
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Bennell hasn’t been able to clock big kilometres during training sessions, nor train with any intensity.
The goalkicking onballer, 27, hasn’t played since 2017 and has managed only two senior games since 2015 due to an endless string of calf tears on both legs.
He flew to Germany in 2016 to consult world-leading expert Dr Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wolfhart.
Last year he underwent two rounds of surgery in Brisbane with renowned Geelong-based sports physiotherapist Peter Stanton, which had the Bennell camp confident the answer had been found.
Melbourne high performance boss Darren Burgess had given Bennell a light fitness program before he joins the club.
Bennell, his partner Amy and their infant daughter Carter Ivy shifted to Melbourne in November for the pre-season campaign
“There’s a bit of nervousness, but I’m also excited to be in Melbourne,” he told the Herald Sun in November.
“I feel comfortable here. We think this is the right place to be. Hopefully it all works out.”
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He also told the Herald Sun he had no qualms with Fremantle’s medical team, which 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.”
Meanwhile, young Melbourne forward Kade Chandler will be sidenlined for at least six weeks after breaking his wrist in a training drill.