FROM 2009 to 2012, Jamie Bennell pulled on the red and blue 57 times.

Since then, he has continued to showcase his skills in the AFL, but in a slightly different way.

Following a 30-game stint with West Coast, Bennell joined the AFL Players Association as the Indigenous Relationship Manager.

And he has been making a difference in that role for the past three years.

“It’s a position I really enjoy,” Bennell told Melbourne Media.

“Being able to connect with all the players across the competition and still be associated with footy, it’s a really enjoyable role.”

Bennell spends his days engaging with players, both past and present, from all 18 teams across the league.

“Getting into footy clubs and being able to have coffee and have lunch with players has been great,” he said.

“When it comes down to the nitty gritty, it’s more so finding out what is impacting players and how we can better support them.

“From a players association point of view, it’s just being able to action that.

“Also, along the way it’s providing the players the services that we do provide them in the wellbeing space and the financial space.

Welcoming Narrm for AFLW Indigenous Round

“A lot of the time it’s supporting our Indigenous players and making sure clubs, if any problems or questions come up, they feel free to contact me.

“There’s always something happening so it keeps me on my toes and it’s something I do enjoy.”

During Sir Doug Nicholls Round this season, Bennell’s former club renamed itself Narrm – an initiative that is being repeated this week for AFLW Indigenous Round.

“It was awesome – just to see that and how the community here absorbed that and took that on,” he said.

“If people didn’t know what Narrm was, it was all about people asking questions.

“It was a good conversation starter and seeing that on the polos and beanies was awesome to see.

“For my kids to be able to wear something like that, it was pretty awesome.”

Given the nature of Bennell’s job, his biases to the Dees can’t be too strong, but his family still happily dons the red and blue.

“The Dees gave me my first opportunity at AFL level and that’s something I’m forever grateful for,” he said.

“I still follow the club very closely.

“Wheels (Matthew Whelan) still being connected to the club keeps me involved in that way as well.

“It is nice to feel welcome.

“It was a while ago now since I finished at the Dees but to still have that open door and welcome to walk around the club rooms, it’s awesome.”

As a Western Australian, Bennell also keeps a close eye on the Eagles – the club he grew up supporting – but the Demon Spirit will forever tie him to Melbourne.