Harley Bennell – Deck of Dream Team 2013

Name: Harley Bennell
Club: Gold Coast Suns
Position: Midfielder
Assistant Coach 2013 Price: $438,200
Bye Round: 13 (Shared with Adelaide, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Gold Coast & GWS)
2012 Average: 84.9
2012 Games Played: 22
Predicted Average: 103

 

Why should I pick him?

Smokie Alert! Harley was the shining jewel in the Gold Coasts young brigade last season. He was one of only three players to play every game last year for the Suns, and his uninterrupted run of 29 games (since round 16, 2011) is the longest consistent string of games from any of the Suns playing group, demonstrating his importance for the expansion team. Bennell had the fourth highest Dream Team average for the Suns in 2012 (although with Caddy & Iles being shipped out, he’s second on the current list), and kicked the second most goals for the side, a touch behind Gary Ablett Jnr.

Last season, the youngster showed his Dream Team ability, with great scores of 156 (in Round 19 against Melbourne) and 128 (in Round 6 against the Dockers when GAJ was out with a knee complaint). Harley found himself in the middle for a majority of last season, and his overall game improved, averaging 24 disposals per game in 2012, up from 17 disposals in his debut season.

Obviously this had a benefit to his Dream Team value, and although only managing a maximum score of 79 from his 14 games in 2011 (where he averaged 67), he managed to increase his season average to 85 in 2012. That’s a nice increase of 18 points per game. If he can do the same in 2013, he’ll be looking at an average nearer to 105, making him a promising M7 or M8 at a bargain price.

Bennell is also approaching the mystical third year, where a players AFL Dream Team score supposedly goes through the roof. Although not even remotely true, it is fair to say he has now had three solid, injury free preseasons and as the Gold Coast chase down their 20-1-3 aspirations, he will be an integral cog of the Gold Coasts midfield.

 

Why shouldn’t I pick him?

Price. Unfortunately for Bennell fans, you’ll have to fork out quite a bit of moolah ($438,200) to fit him into your midfield, for the risk that he will break out in his third year. Although this is still relatively cheap if he can bring up his average towards 100+, depending on your structure he’ll be directly competing against the likes of fellow youngsters Toby Greene, Nat Fyfe & Andrew Gaff as a potential break-out mid-priced midfielders in your team. Then add in the midfield options of the injured duo Andrew Embley & Luke Ball to further complicate how he would fit in your team, and multiply this by the fact he is nested between DPP options Dustin Martin & Dyson Heppell and you can see the problem. Where does he fit?

On top of this, despite showing that he could go big last season, but he has only breached the 100 point mark on three occasions in his 36 game career (although they were all last year). He also showed that he still has a way to go with consistency, with four scores of 55 or lower last season. On top of this, he shares his bye with ultra-premiums in Garry Ablett Jnr, Dane Swan, Marc Murphy, Scott Pendlebury, Jobe Watson, Dayne Beams & Scott Thompson. Ouch.

 

Deck of DT Rating

KING – It’s hard not to see Bennell improving on his 2012 season. By all reports he is having a solid preseason, he is entering his third season and he is being mentored by the best midfielder in the game, Gary Ablett Jnr. The Suns team as a group are on the up, and he will have more support around the ball next season. If he can improve his consistency, he could just explode next season.

Oh, and by the way, see all those uber-premiums he shares his bye with? Well to this point in his career he has already averaged more points, and played more games, than any of them at the same point in their career. If you are after a mid-priced midfielder with a point of difference and a large upside, or you’re playing the new AFL Fantasy draft game and just looking for a break-out smokie who fits your structure; Bennell may just be your man.

 

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