DARREN MONCRIEFF
Friday, June 10, 2011
YOU just don't cross the leadership group. That's what Gold Coast Suns teenager Harley Bennell is finding out after being dropped for tomorrow night's match against North Melbourne after missing a compulsory training and weights session this week.
The 18-year-old West Australian Bennell (pictured), taken at No.2 in last year's national draft, was allowed to stay in Perth an extra day to visit family and friends following the Suns' clash with West Coast at Subiaco Oval last weekend.
However, he didn't return to the Gold Coast until Tuesday, missing Monday's sessions, which forced the club's hand. It's an issue the fledgling Suns must soon address with its host of youngsters recruited from around the country.
It is Bennell's second such indiscretion. He was dropped for the round 4 match against Melbourne after missing a compulsory development session.
Bennell's form has been impressive for the Suns. In his five games, he has averaged 17 possessions, mostly operating around midfield. Ironically, both indiscretions have come after some of his best games. Last week against the Eagles, Bennell was impressive on a wing.
Encouragingly, Suns development coach, Andy Lovell, said Bennell's mind-set towards his AFL career following his dropping was in the right place.
"Harley's not the first player to ever get homesick at an AFL club," Lovell said. "He's a long way from home, as we know, and he freely admits how he handled the situation wasn't ideal, but as a footy club, we recognise he's an 18-year-old young man and does not have the experience that he needs.
"We really respect our leadership group and they felt, and we felt as a coaching staff and footy club, that we can't compromise our standards and we had to make that clear to Harley and the rest of the group that those standards won't be compromised.
"As in life, with choice comes responsibility, and his responsibility is to do the right thing and get back on time so he can join in on the program. Unfortunately, Harley didn't do that but we feel he's learnt from it and we'll support him as much as we can.
"You're going to be judged by your actions. We need all our players buying into the program and experience in the AFL tells you that the successful clubs and the great clubs have a really consistent attention to detail in everything they do and we're no different in our pursuit of that.
"Harley just needs to follow the program with attention to detail and do what he does best at the moment, which is play strongly, and we're really confident he can do that."
Bennll will line up for the Suns reserves against QAFL club, Morningside, this weekend.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 24/06/2011 12:42