Fremantle great Matthew Pavlich is delighted that former Dockers teammate Harley Bennell was handed an AFL lifeline by Melbourne.
The Demons signed Bennell as a rookie under the AFL’s Supplemental Selection Period after the 27-year-old trained with the club throughout the pre-season.
Restricted to just two games in four years at Fremantle due to recurring soft-tissue injuries, Pavlich is glad the 27-year-old has made “really smart choices” off the field to resurrect his career.
Melbourne’s pre-season documentary ‘To Hell and Back’ revealed Bennell gave up alcohol in a bid to prolong his time in the AFL.
“Huge talent and someone that works really hard. There’s always been a little niggle with his calf at the last moment,” Pavlich told SEN Breakfast.
“I hope he goes really well; it sounds like he’s settled down with his young family over here.
“He’s made some really smart choices off the field by the sounds of it, he’s a talent, it’s just whether or not the Melbourne strength and conditioning people can get him out there.”
Bennell, 27, has played a total of 83 AFL games for both Fremantle and the Gold Coast Suns.
Listen to Matthew Pavlich’s chat on SEN Breakfast in the player below