Bennell charged after NYE brawl

Updated January 01, 2013 18:46:25

Gold Coast Suns player Harley Bennell has been charged by police after being arrested following a disturbance during New Year's Eve celebrations in Mandurah, Western Australia.

Bennell, who was the second player picked in the 2010 draft, was charged with disorderly behaviour in a public place and failure to obey an order from an officer about 2:15am (local time).

The 20-year-old utility player will appear before the Mandurah Magistrates Court on January 15, 2013.

"About 2:15am this morning police were called to the Smart Street Mall in Mandurah and located a group of people in the vicinity of the nearby nightclubs, with a number of those people being disorderly and fighting," a police statement said.

Bennell has made 36 appearances over the past two years for the Suns and finished second in the club's best and fairest behind Gary Ablett in 2012.

The Suns confirmed the charge but did not give further comment.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, mandurah-6210, robina-4226

First posted January 01, 2013 18:16:54

View the original article here

Bennell inks two-year deal with Suns

Updated May 09, 2012 08:24:37

Gold Coast has retained the services of highly-rated youngster Harley Bennell for another two seasons.

The 19-year-old Bennell, who hails from Western Australia, joins a number of promising Suns to re-sign and will remain on the Gold Coast until the end of 2014.

"I'm rapt to re-sign with the Suns. I have got a lot of mates here, I'm enjoying my footy and I believe we are building something pretty special," Bennell said in a statement.

Bennell has been a standout for the Suns this season, averaging over 21 disposals per game and kicking 11 goals, including three in his last three matches.

His performance against Fremantle last week (37 disposals and three goals) continued his great start to 2012, almost inspiring the Suns to their first win of the season.

Suns football operation manager Marcus Ashcroft said the potential of Bennell, taken with the second pick in the 2011 draft, has been evident well before his recent run of good form.

"Harley is an extremely talented young player and we are thrilled that he will continue his playing career with the Gold Coast Football Club," he said.

"We believe Harley has the ability to play a major role in the growth and development of our club and we look forward to him continuing to development both on and off the field over the coming years."

Bennell joins team mates David Swallow, Sam Day, Tom Lynch, Brandon Matera, Jeremy Taylor, Luke Russell, Jaeger O'Meara and Alex Sexton on the Gold Coast list until the end of the 2014 season.

"A number of our players are displaying real commitment to the club, that inturn gives us great confidence that the players believe in our program and are determined to deliver success for the Gold Coast Football Club and our fans," Ashcroft added.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carrara-4211, qld, australia

First posted May 09, 2012 08:24:37

View the original article here