Harley Bennell’s Covid breach threatens his career
The troubled career of Harley Bennell is in peril once again after the Demons star became the latest player alleged to have breached AFL protocol guidelines.
The troubled career of Harley Bennell is in peril once again after the Demons star became the latest player alleged to have breached AFL protocol guidelines while in Queensland.
The AFL has fined Melbourne $50,000 and Bennell has been sent home and banned for four weeks after a drinking session on the Sunshine Coast.
The midfielder left the club’s Maroochydore hub to swap vehicles to help secure a car seat for his one-year-old daughter Carter.
It is understood he had made arrangements to organise a bigger car for his young family as the Demons prepared for their last game of the home and away season against Essendon.
Bennell, 27, ran out of petrol on the trip and was found by police, who drove Bennell to the petrol station to fill up.
He was breath-tested by police when he was found on Saturday and is understood to have had some drinks at the hotel on the previous night.
The Demons initially decided to isolate Bennell from their Twin Waters base to minimise the risk of any potential problems given Collingwood and Essendon are also staying at the resort.
The AFL, which is concerned about the potential for players to be disruptive once their seasons are over, investigated the break before imposing the punishment on Sunday night.
Both the league and clubs have advised players whose seasons have come to an end to be on their best behaviour in Queensland given the role the state has played in hosting the season.
This follows a strict rebuke Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk issued the league after an incident involving Richmond players Sydney Stack and Callum Coleman-Jones this month.
The two Tigers were booted out of Queensland after their visit to a strip club came to light when they were involved in a scuffle outside a kebab shop.
Bennell’s alleged breach is bizarre given he is fighting for his future while the Demons finals hopes were still alive at the time of the incident. He reportedly left his hub for a drinking session in Maroochydore as the Demons sought to keep their season alive.
The 27-year-old, who has played five games this year, was not part of the Melbourne team and did not travel to the Gold Coast for the Essendon game.
Additional reporting: Herald Sun
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