Club: Peel Thunder (WAFL)
Height: 180cm
Weight: 70kg
Date Of Birth: 2.10.1992
Position: Outside Midfielder/Rebounding Defender/Half Forward

Strengths:

- Very good pace off the mark and over distance ? a genuine ball carrier and line-breaker

- Very good vertical leap ? can take spectacular, high flying marks and ?plays taller? than his listed height with his combination of leap and reach

- Possesses genuine X-factor and flair

- Very clean ball handling

- Very creative decision making and quick, left-field thinking

- Powerful and accurate by both foot and hand

- Has very good goal sense playing as a forward

Weaknesses:

- Lack of strength and physical size

Bio:

After not participating in the U16 Championships the year before, Bennell was outstanding at WAFL colts level in 2009, as a 16 year old he finished runner-up in the Jack Clarke Medal (WAFL Colts B&F Award) by 4 votes after missing the last game instead debuting at senior level and impressing with 19 disposals and 2 goals. He also earnt a place in the 2009 WAFL Colts Team of the Year on a half back flank and a scholarship to be part of the AIS-AFL Academy.

He starred in the 2010 AFL U18 Championships winning the Larke Medal for the best player of the championships series ? including one of the best individual games in recent championships history with . He also produced some good form at WAFL Level to average 16 disposals, 3 marks and 1 goal from 12 games.

Harley is also the brother of ex-Collingwood rookie John Bennell and cousin of current Melbourne player Jamie Bennell.

Stats:

2009 & 2010 WAFL Stats

Media:

Harley Bennell – Australian Institute of Sport

WA’s Bennell wins Larke Medal

Harley’s world not all razzle and dazzle

Bennell learns from older brother

Harley Bennell shines in WA Under-18 loss

Coast locks up young WA star Harley Bennell

Potential Clubs:

Media reports suggested Gold Coast Suns committed to using one of their first 3 2010 National Draft picks after his outstanding 2010 U18 Championships where he won the Larke Medal. However Gold Coast coach, Guy McKenna, came out to say that a decision was yet to be made over pick 2 and 3, presumably with some influence from the AFL, with concerns over the intrigue of the early selections on draft day being completely void with David Swallow already locked in at number 1.

If they do happen to prefer other options late in the piece then expect West Coast to swoop on Bennell at 4, as he is exactly the type of player they lack on their list.

Summary:

Harley Bennell is an genuine excitement machine that is one of the best performed under 18 players in this draft. He projects as a future elite wingman of the AFL and has a playing style in the mould of North Melbourne?s Daniel Wells – who was also a Peel Thunder product and top 3 pick back in 2002.

Despite playing a lot of senior football at WAFL, he is quite skinny and doesn?t have an outstanding fitness base, however I believe he will still be very likely starter in round 1 for Gold Coast, given his class and the experience he has gained from at senior level in the WAFL.

Draft Range: National Draft 2- National Draft 3