Bennell future in tatters

‘Erratic’ Demon refuses to rejoin hub, family

HARLEY Bennell’s football career at Melbourne is almost certainly over as the Demons continue to make attempts to support the midfielder.

Bennell early on Monday had refused to return from Gold Coast to Maroochydore where his partner Amy and his one-year-old daughter Carter were, along with his Melbourne teammates.

The No.2 draft pick left the club’s hub on Saturday — breaking the AFL’s COVID-19 protocols — after a long session drinking with others until the early hours of Saturday.

The club had engaged staff to be with Bennell on Saturday but contact has been on and off since then. Bennell was told on Sunday unless he quickly returned to Maroochydore his family could try to fly home to WA without him.

Bennell’s partner Amy last month announced she was pregnant with their second child. News Corp understands Bennell’s father, John, has also recently been diagnosed with a serious health issue over the past week which may have impacted the midfielder’s making.

The Demons are concerned by Bennell’s erratic and unpredictable behaviour since Saturday morning when he told friends he had left the club’s hub to swap a vehicle for a post-season holiday.

Bennell ran out of petrol and was assisted by police to help him fill up his car. He completed a breath test and was not over the limit.

While the Demons were keen to keep Bennell for next season, his behaviour has effectively torched his chances. His immediate welfare has become the clear priority.

Former Gold Coast Suns’ teammate Jarrod Harbrow raised the alarm over Bennell’s hub departure when he received a visit from the 27-yearold on Saturday. Harbrow turned Bennell away and then contacted the Suns who then notified the Demons.

Bennell was on Sunday suspended for four matches and the club fined $50,000 for the COVID-19 breach.

He has been asked to depart Queensland but it is unclear whether Bennell wants to return to Melbourne or Perth. decision