Bennell ready to head home

HARLEY Bennell will leave Queensland within 48 hours after indicating to those close to him that he was ready to return home to Perth following a welfare check at a Gold Coast hospital.

It is understood Melbourne - as well as the AFL and AFLPA - have been in regular contact with Bennell, whose recent erratic behaviour had caused serious concern.

Bennell went on a fullblown bender after ruining his AFL career with a COVID breach that turned into a week of partying.

The Demons have the paperwork ready for Bennell to sign, which would pave the way for him to head back to his home state of Western Australia.

The Herald Sun understands he is likely to need professional help to work through his issues in Perth.

His overnight hospitalisation had been a “wake-up call” that he needed to focus on returning home, with sources suggesting this was a “genuine step forward” after a recent troubling period.

A COVID breach last week effectively ended the 27-yearold’s AFL career, which was confirmed with his retirement on Monday. Police and paramedics attended an apartment at Broadbeach on Monday night where they found Bennell in a heavily intoxicated state before he was taken to hospital for an extensive welfare check.

Melbourne, Bennell’s third AFL club, had been trying to stabilise his well being recently.

Bennell’s confidantes are furious that he abandoned his family and instead rejected club, AFL PA and management overtures to get him on a plane home to Perth.

The talented midfielder had not had a major controversy his entire time at Melbourne and needed to get through only another 72 hours in the club’s hub without incident to be offered a new deal.

Instead he sabotaged his career with a COVID breach that turned into a full-blown episode.

On Sunday night after hours of negotiations involving WA politicians Ben nell had permission to return to Perth.

Instead he made it clear he was intent on staying on the Gold Coast for the foreseeable future despite his expectant partner and young child being across the country.

Ben nell’ s partner Amy C re llin, who is pregnant, and his young daughter Carter, have already returned to Perth.