20 Facts About Harley Bennell

Harley Bennell was born on Harley Nannup; born 2 October 1992 and is a former Australian rules footballer who last played for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League.

Harley Bennell was drafted with the second selection in the 2010 AFL draft by the Gold Coast Football Club.

Harley Bennell is the brother of former Collingwood Football Club rookie listed player John Bennell and the cousin of former West Coast Eagles and Melbourne player, Jamie Bennell.

Harley Bennell began playing football competitively at the Pinjarra Junior Football Club at the age of 13.

Harley Bennell competed in the juniors side for two years before going through the 2007 season undefeated with his team and tasted his first premiership at age 15.

In 2009 Harley Bennell would be named captain of his high school team at Mandurah Senior College and would go on to play several games for the Peel seniors team in the West Australian Football League at 16 years of age.

Harley Bennell made his AFL debut in Round 2,2011 in the Gold Coast Suns inaugural AFL match against Carlton at the Gabba.

Harley Bennell was dropped for disciplinary reasons after the Gold Coast's round 3 clash.

Harley Bennell returned to the team the following week but was again dropped two weeks later.

Harley Bennell spent numerous weeks playing for the reserves team and returned to the seniors team for their round 11 clash against the West Coast Eagles in Perth.

Harley Bennell showed enough in the reserves to earn a recall to the seniors team in round 15 but the Suns' leadership group did not allow him back into the team for the match against Fremantle, which was played in Perth.

Harley Bennell was dropped from the Suns' team in May 2015 after drinking alcohol after a game despite the team agreeing to avoid alcohol for the week.

Harley Bennell was not selected to play the next game for Gold Coast.

Since the start of 2016 Harley Bennell has had a string of soft tissue injuries to his calf, this effects his running ability and has struggled to be fit enough for the rigours of AFL football.

Harley Bennell was invited to train with a number of clubs, and was signed to Melbourne's list in February 2020 as part of the supplementary selection period.

Harley Bennell debuted for Melbourne during the 2020 season, which was disrupted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Harley Bennell kicked his first goal for the club in the 17-point win over his old side, Gold Coast, in round six.

Harley Bennell was suspended for the first four games of the 2021 season and fined $50,000 as he breached a COVID-19 AFL protocol and left the Gold Coast Queensland hub before the final game of the 2020 season.

Harley Bennell made his representative debut for the Indigenous All-Stars in 2013 against Richmond.

Harley Bennell was named man of the match and received the Polly Farmer Medal for his efforts.