DARREN MONCRIEFF
Wednesday 9 May 2012
HIS first name conjures up images of a two-wheeled icon: all chrome, polish and a deep-throated roar of V-twin engine power.
And like the legendary American Harley Davidson motorcycle, Gold Coast's Harley Bennell (pictured) is turning heads with eye-catching performances on the football field.
Bennell, 19, has produced arguably his best game for the Suns on Saturday: 37 possessions, three goals and on-field leadership and direction that almost delivered his side it's first win at home.
Fremantle may have denied the Suns by seven points at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast but there is now no more denying what Bennell is capable of.
His reward was today inking a new contract that will keep him at the Suns until the end of the 2014 season.
He joins fellow Sun, Brandon Matera, who has also signed on at the club until the end of the same season.
"I'm rapt to re-sign with the Suns. I have got a lot of mates here, I'm enjoying my footy and I believe we are building something pretty special," Bennell said.
Gold Coast Suns general manager of football operations Marcus Ashcroft said he was thrilled Bennell chose to stay at the club.
"Harley is an extremely talented young player and we are thrilled that he will continue his playing career with the Gold Coast Football Club," Ashcroft said.
"We believe Harley has the ability to play a major role in the growth and development of our club and we look forward to him continuing to development both on and off the field over the coming years."
It's welcome news and a welcome return to stability for Bennell, but it wasn't always this way for the talented footballer.
The Western Australian was selected by the Suns at No. 2 in the 2010 national draft but he was reportedly unsettled with life away from home and his extended family.
Last season, he was dropped from the Suns' starting line-up when returned to the Gold Coast two days later than allowed by his club after being granted extra time with family in Perth following the Suns' match there. He was dropped twice for missing compulsory training sessions.
He's since turned all that around thanks in part to the help he's received from team-mate, former NRL star and Suns' leadership mentor, Karmichael Hunt.
Bennell moved in with Hunt and his partner, Emma, in the middle of last year and stayed with them until recently. The move has seemingly helped the teenager out of his shell, on and off the field. Saturday's game, his 20th, showed just how.
"He really enjoyed his stay with us and we feel proud that we were able to help him get back on track," Hunt wrote in his weekly newspaper column last weekend.
"Best of all, we got to see a side of Harley he rarely shows. Over time, we discovered he has a great personality and there is definitely a cheeky side to him.
"One of his downfalls when he first came across from WA was that if anything was going on inside his head that was troubling him, he kept it locked away.
"But now he has developed relationships with the coaches and players, he is more likely to talk about things that are bugging him."
Bennell credits an adjustment to his improved showing. He was part of the club's trip to Arizona in the US for altitude training.
"I went to Arizona last year so I think my fitness has got up there a lot. I've lifted my skills a bit too," he said.
The Suns face AFL newcomers GWS Giants in Canberra this weekend.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 27/06/2012 13:53