Eade fears end is near in Bennell’s latest strife

FORMER Gold Coast Suns coach Rodney Eade would love Harley Bennell to “turn the corner” but concedes there is “a cut-off point for everybody” after the midfielder’s latest off-field indiscretion.

Fremantle yesterday confirmed it was investigating an incident involving a player after vision emerged which appeared to show Bennell wrestling with bouncers at a Fremantle nightclub on Sunday night.

Bennell did not attend training on Monday morning and was unable to be contacted by the club.

The 25-year-old was believed to be on his final chance last May after he was investigated by the club for his behaviour at a WAFL game.

That incident came a month after he was removed from a Gold Coast-bound flight by airline staff who believed he was under the influence of alcohol.

Bennell is now in the final year of a three-year contract at the Dockers, who lured him west after he was sacked by Gold Coast in 2015.

He has played just two games for the club – in the final two rounds of last season – after being hampered by persistent calf troubles.

Eade, who was coach of the Suns when the club sacked Bennell, said Fremantle would have a lot to weigh up in determining Bennell’s future.

“Take him out of it but just in general there is a cut-off point for everybody,” Eade said.

“If that cut-off point is now, I would imagine Fremantle would still offer him support.

“There’s (an) individual’s needs but also the club and sponsors and the supporters and other teammates.

“So it’s about weighing up all that in the one pot and making a considered decision.

“I think Fremantle wouldn’t take any decision lightly. There will be a lot of consideration about what they think is best to go forward.

“This latest one, I don’t know the extent of it and what it all means but hopefully he can get through it.”

Bennell’s rap sheet at the Gold Coast included a night in the lockup for a skirmish with a bouncer, being suspended for breaking drinking bans and being captured taking drugs.