Harley Bennell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harley Bennell |
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Bennell playing for Fremantle in March 2016
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Harley Bennell | ||
| Date of birth | 2 October 1992 | ||
| Original team | Peel Thunder (WAFL) | ||
| Draft | No. 2, 2010 National Draft, Gold Coast | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Harley Bennell (born Harley Nannup; born 2 October 1992) is a former Australian rules football player. He played for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was chosen very early in the 2010 AFL draft by the Gold Coast Football Club. Bennell started his football journey at the Peel Thunder Football Club. This club plays in the West Australian Football League.
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Harley's Early Life and Family
Harley Bennell grew up in an Indigenous family with nine children. He is the third oldest among his brothers and sisters. His brother, John Bennell, also played football for the Collingwood Football Club. Harley is also the cousin of Jamie Bennell, who played for the West Coast Eagles and Melbourne.
Junior Football Journey
Harley Bennell started playing football when he was 13 years old. He joined the Pinjarra Junior Football Club. He played there for two years. In 2007, his team had a perfect season, winning every game. Harley won his first championship at age 15.
Playing for Peel Thunder
The next year, Bennell began playing for the under-16s team at the Peel Thunder Football Club. He soon moved up to the under-18s team. He mostly played as a forward. In 2009, Harley became captain of his high school team at Mandurah Senior College. He also played several games for the senior Peel Thunder team in the West Australian Football League. He was only 16 at the time.
Rising Star in 2010
After the 2009 season, Harley received a special scholarship from the AIS. By 2010, he had grown taller and stronger. Selectors started to notice him more. He earned a regular spot in the Peel Thunder senior team.
In 2010, Bennell was also picked for the Western Australian under-18s team. They played in the AFL Under 18 Championships. Harley won the Larke Medal, which is given to the best player in the tournament. He finished his amazing 2010 season by being chosen as the second player in the 2010 AFL draft. The Gold Coast Football Club picked him.
Harley's AFL Career
Harley Bennell made his AFL debut in Round 2, 2011. This was the Gold Coast Suns' very first AFL game against Carlton. The game was played at the Gabba.
First Years with Gold Coast Suns
Harley was sometimes not chosen to play early in his career. He spent some weeks playing for the reserves team. He returned to the senior team for their Round 11 game against the West Coast Eagles. He then missed a team training session. He was not chosen to play again for a short time. He eventually returned to the team and started living with his teammate Karmichael Hunt. He played well and finished the 2011 season with 14 goals in 14 games.
Bennell's 2012 season was much better. He played in all 22 games that year. He scored 25 goals and finished second in the club's best and fairest award. This award goes to the team's top player.
Moving to Fremantle and Melbourne
In 2015, Harley faced some challenges. He was not chosen to play in a game after a team rule was not followed. Later, a photo from 2013 was published in newspapers. This photo caused him to miss another game. After some events, the Gold Coast Suns decided to trade Bennell. He officially joined the Fremantle Football Club in October 2015.
From 2016 onwards, Harley had many injuries to his calf muscles. These injuries made it hard for him to run and play AFL football. After four years with Fremantle, where he played only two games, Bennell left the club in June 2019. He was later signed by the Melbourne Football Club in February 2020.
Bennell played his first game for Melbourne during the 2020 AFL season. This season was different because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He kicked his first goal for Melbourne in a win against his old team, the Gold Coast Suns. After this game, Harley received some unkind comments online, which were later removed.
Harley Bennell announced his retirement from football on September 28, 2020.
Playing for the Indigenous All-Stars
Harley Bennell also played for the Indigenous All-Stars team in 2013. They played against Richmond. Harley was named the best player in that game. He received the Polly Farmer Medal for his great performance.
Career Statistics Summary
Harley Bennell played a total of 88 games and scored 98 goals in his AFL career. He played 81 games for the Gold Coast Suns, 2 games for Fremantle, and 5 games for Melbourne. He did not play in 2016, 2018, and 2019 because of injuries.
