2013 SuperCoach Player Profile: Harley Bennell

[AFEV]

Harley Bennell

Stats

Average: 97.55

Centuries: 7

2012 Games: 22

Average Disposals: 23.64

Tackles: 2.2

Handballs: 11.3

Standard Deviation: 31.2436

Starting Price: 371,700

Low Price: 359,400

High Price: 502,800

Fanplanner Price: 517,900

Position: M/F

Age: 20



Thoughts

Injuries to several core Gold Coast midfielders allowed Harley Bennell to take the next step in 2012. He showed why he was the #2 pick in the 2011 draft, so much so that he was targeted by taggers at different points in the season.

There is still a glaring hole in his game - consistency. While his monster score against Melbourne inflates his standard deviation 31+ is absolutely MASSIVE! Potentially a deal breaker.

I have outlined the two things I think he needs to improve to get that deviation down - tackles and handballs. 2 tackles a game is not enough, if he can pick up 2 more per game it will add a lot. He also handballs too much in my opinion, almost as much as he kicks. He is such a good user of the ball I'm sure the coaching staff at GC want him using the ball by foot more as well - so look for improvement in that area in 2013.

Being only 20 (and he only turned 20 yesterday, happy birthday Harley) he has lots to learn and has the capacity to become one of the best players in the league. Who better to learn form than GAJ?



Verdict

Not sure I'll have it in me to pick him, he's too dear and at that price there are other players that I can rely on to give me the same thing each week. Top grade player though and could be viable as an upgrade target or in 2014 if he can improve a few things.



Prediction

This is really hard...Lots of different things could change his scoring in 2013. 101.

[batt]

Can't see him keeping FWD DPP.  Still love watching him though, silkiest player in the league.

[Adamant]

He really stepped it up this year, but just too inconsistent for me to consider yet. May look at him as an upgrade if he is killing it.

[Ricochet]

probably not ready to fit in ahead of some super premium mids but definitely a gun of the future.

[enzedder]

Have him in my planner team atm as F4. Nicely priced. DPP. On the rise whilst other fwd premiums are on the decline (N Roo, Cloke, Harvey, Goodes?, Chapman?, StevieJ?)
Thinking he could be worth the risk.

[meow meow]

I think he'll be a mid only, so that pretty much rules him out.

I'll be surprised if he doesn't go backwards next year. In 2012 it was Ablett and Bennell doing pretty much everything. Swallow, Rischitelli and Prestia should chip in a lot more next year and take a share of the midfield points on offer. All had injury problems in 2012 and left it all up to Ablett and Bennell. 

[Jroo]

Would only pick him if he is a mid/fwd. As the Suns improve so should Bennell

[ubeaut]

Would only pick him if he is a mid/fwd. As the Suns improve so should Bennell

+ 1.

Bennell + DPP = LOCK.

I don't agree that other mids stepping up (like rischa) will negatively affect his scoring. In fact quite the opposite. Other mids stepping up(and Bocks return) will mean improved performance from the suns, more ball and more points all round.

[Shihan7]

Cant see him keeping DPP sadly :-\

[Jroo]

Cant see him keeping DPP sadly :-\

I hope he can. He booted 25 goals this year.

[Speculator]

The problem with Bennell is that I expect to get tagged more. With the new trend towards tagging damaging outside players and the untaggability of Ablett I expect him to cop a heap more attention next year. Especially if Gold Coast can improve and threaten teams the opposition coaches will be more inclined to tag the best GC players. There is much risk in this selection. And this type of player can be easily shut down. Sadly a no from me, but for those and who take the punt and it works cudos to you.

[Adamant]

The problem with Bennell is that I expect to get tagged more. With the new trend towards tagging damaging outside players and the untaggability of Ablett I expect him to cop a heap more attention next year. Especially if Gold Coast can improve and threaten teams the opposition coaches will be more inclined to tag the best GC players. There is much risk in this selection. And this type of player can be easily shut down. Sadly a no from me, but for those and who take the punt and it works cudos to you.

Exactly, also dont think he'll regain DPP.

[gossiboy]

Anyone considering this kid as a m5? Showed last year that he's going to be an absolute gun averaging 97.55 in his second season while playing every game.

He's awkwardly priced at $521,900 but could easily explode and average 105+ for the season.

Also found it interesting to read that he's played more games and averaged more dt/sc points than any of the guys considered super premiums today at the same point in their career (albeit in completely different situations with Bennell on an expansio team)

I think I'll wait and watch and if he's dominating as he did last night then I'll seriously consider bringing him in. Will be a lock in future years for sure though.

[The Mongoose]

Shhhhhhhh. Keep this one quiet.

In all seriousness though, I was on Bennell from the get-go last season, and boy did he pay dividends. You say he's awkwardly priced, but I present these points for consideration.

His Ceiling - Is huge. The kid can run all day, gets his own ball and hits the scoreboard.

Gold Coast List - Might have a few disagree with me here, but I'd happily say he's hands down the second best player on the Gold Coast list. Just means he gets a bigger slice of the points.

Gary's Trust - He's also one of the few at the Suns that the little master trusts enough to kick it to. Given that Gary can rack up 50 touches a game, that's a lot of ball that Bennell's receiving.

In terms of risk vs reward - I simply can't see him NOT improving on last year. He's a jet.

[Presto]

I would not take too much notice out of an exhibition  game against a very weak midfield. Missing from the Tigers center were: Deledio, Cotchin, Tuck and Maric, while Martin played in defense.