Harley Bennell is officially a Demon.
Melbourne has signed the livewire via the AFL’s Pre-Season Supplemental Selection period.
Bennell has not played a game since 2017, where he managed his only two games for Fremantle.
Significant calf injuries have derailed his career, with the former number two draft pick training with Melbourne over the summer, hoping to earn a spot on their list.
He played 81 games for the Gold Coast Suns prior to that.
Melbourne GM of Football Josh Mahoney told SEN Breakfast that Bennell was always likely to get a spot on the list, despite his latest calf injury setback.
“There’s an issue with his calf we have got to work through and we know it’s going to be a medium to long term process, but he’s been really good and at this stage it’s looking positive for him in getting a contract with us,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say it was a surprise that he hurt (his calf) and obviously he wanted to go through his rehab and not have any bumps along the way, but we were half expecting that.
“There’s two or three things we’re looking at and his calf is obviously a major one, but it hasn’t impacted our decision either way.”