Should Dockers midfielder Harley Bennell be re-signed?
A combination of persistent calf injuries and off-field disciplinary issues have resulted in Harley Bennell playing just two games in almost three seasons at Fremantle.
The Dockers would have expected more, but it is hard to see the talented — and, at times, troubled midfielder — not being at the Dockers next season as long as Ross Lyon remains coach.
"My position is clear, I would give Harley a 10-year contract if it were up to me," Lyon told Channel Seven after it was revealed Bennell had suffered another calf injury while playing for West Australian Football League club Peel.
"We will work through all these things collaboratively.
"We expect him to play [this season] and hopefully play some senior football."
Lyon and Bennell are close.
The Fremantle coach has been a staunch supporter of the former Gold Coast midfielder through the injuries and off-field misdemeanours.
But given Bennell's difficulties, what is the rationale for keeping him on the list next year?
Firstly, when it comes to pure football talent the 25-year-old is one of the most gifted players at the club.
Bennell, at his best, would make the Dockers a significantly better football team.
That much is obvious.
The Dockers are also in a curious position heading into this season's draft.
For a team that is in the middle of a rebuild, and has stated a commitment to developing youth, Fremantle holds just one pick in the first four rounds.
That selection is in the first round and going by current ladder position will be pick six, but that could change depending on academy and father-son selections.
Fremantle's next will be in the fifth round which right now equates to a pick in the seventies.
Keeping Bennell better than punting on a late draft pick
Lyon has already indicated Danyle Pearce and Michael Johnson won't be at the club next season.
There are also doubts about whether Hayden Ballantyne and Aaron Sandilands will continue.
Defender Lee Spurr, 31, has not played at all this season because of injury and is out-of-contract, as are fringe players Ethan Hughes, Cam Sutcliffe and Brady Grey.
Even with Bennell out of the equation, Fremantle list manager Brad Lloyd has a tough job on his hands replenishing the squad with one early pick and several veterans on the brink of retirement.
Keeping Bennell on the list, even with his history, is better value than a speculative selection at the very back end of the draft.
There is also a welfare issue. The Dockers have supported Bennell over the last three seasons, despite some calling for him to be axed.
Do they continue to support him in the relatively safe and secure structure of a football club or cut him loose to fend for himself?
"[Bennell's been] under a lot of scrutiny — sometimes brought upon himself, sometimes not fair, not accurate," Lyon said earlier this year.
"But he'll just keep working through. He's showed great resilience and we don't want to lose players with his level of talent out of the game for whatever reason.
"In recent history, there's been some sad stories. We don't want another."
Few players have had as many opportunities at AFL level as Bennell.
It is not just up to the coach whether he gets another chance, but all indications are that Bennell will be given more time to realise his potential.
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ABC .net
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