SPEEDSTER Jamie Bennell talks exclusively to melbournefc.com.au about his second year at the club
You’ve played 17 matches this season - one better than your debut season and your disposals are similar to last year. But this year you’ve kicked 13 goals, due to more time up forward. How do you compare your first season with your second year?
JB: It’s a bit different this year because I’ve been playing more forward. Last year I was in defence all year. I’m just happy to get a game and stay in the 22, as long as the boys are going well. It’s good to get up forward and kick a few goals. I’m just playing my role, whether that’s in defence or up forward.
Entering this season, many people would have thought you’d be Melbourne’s small defender, but instead you’ve played mainly up forward. Do you have a preference?
JB: I’m not too fussed. If the coaches want me to play a role down back, then I’m happy to go down back. Or if I have to play up forward, I’m happy to play up forward. Wherever, I’m flexible.
You’ve also been touted as a midfield option. Is that your long-term goal?
JB: I wouldn’t mind it, but at the moment, I’m pretty happy up forward. We’ve got a pretty solid backline at the moment, so I’ll stick to the forward line. In my junior days I used to play up forward and then a few years ago, I started playing down back.
How have you have found your first two seasons at the club?
JB: Last year, I thought it was good playing 16 games. And this year has been similar and there are still a few games left, so I’m just happy maintaining my body and getting through each game. That’s one of my focuses - getting my body right and making sure there are no niggles going on.
Have you found it harder backing up after your debut season or has it been easier this year?
JB: It’s a combination of both. It’s been good the first two years. I haven’t had too many dramas to worry about. So it’s been pretty similar.
What’s surprised you most since entering the AFL system?
JB: The workload around the training we do in the pre-season is a lot. Then going into the game, the speed of it has been noticeable. They are the main things.
You were also a talented first-grade cricketer playing for Gosnells in Western Australia before being drafted. Was it a tough deciding between football and cricket?
JB: I don’t really think back much on it now. I follow it a bit when it’s on TV, but I don’t worry about it.
There is another Bennell coming through the ranks, Harley, who is regarded as one of the top youngsters in the country and is a probable Gold Coast selection. Can you clarify how you are related?
JB: I’m not quite sure. I spoke to Dad about it and he said we’re probably related somewhere along the line. John [who was a Collingwood rookie] is Harley’s brother. We’re most likely related somewhere, as we’ve got the same surname.
You’ve had to move from Bunbury, Western Australia - along with Neville Jetta - to pursue your AFL career. How have you found adjusting to life in Melbourne?
JB: It’s been really good and the club has looked after me as well. They’ve made sure I haven’t got homesick. Having Aaron [Davey], Aussie [Wonaeamirri], Liam [Jurrah] and Nev [Jetta] has been really good. Nev’s parents moved over to Melbourne as well, so having them around has been pretty comfortable and that’s been really good.
Do you now feel settled into Melbourne life?
JB: I’m pretty much settled down now. The first year was about getting settled down, but this year I feel I’ve settled down now.
Can you talk about your connection with Aaron, Aussie, Liam and Neville?
JB: As soon as we got to the club and when we got drafted, Aaron gave me a call. He looked after us as soon as we came over. And then it was great to meet Aussie and Liam. We’ve got a special connection and we just seem to bond like brothers basically.
Who have you also formed close bonds with at the club?
JB: When I was in the backline, guys like Jared Rivers and James Frawley - most of the backline blokes [I formed bonds with], but now it’s Rohan Bail and all of the forward line blokes (laughs). But I’m pretty much mates with everyone.
Although there are only a few more matches remaining, what are your goals for the rest of the season?
JB: I’d just like to play the last three games and finish off the season well and finish with a couple of wins and a few more goals - those would be the main things.
You’ve played 17 matches this season - one better than your debut season and your disposals are similar to last year. But this year you’ve kicked 13 goals, due to more time up forward. How do you compare your first season with your second year?
JB: It’s a bit different this year because I’ve been playing more forward. Last year I was in defence all year. I’m just happy to get a game and stay in the 22, as long as the boys are going well. It’s good to get up forward and kick a few goals. I’m just playing my role, whether that’s in defence or up forward.
Entering this season, many people would have thought you’d be Melbourne’s small defender, but instead you’ve played mainly up forward. Do you have a preference?
JB: I’m not too fussed. If the coaches want me to play a role down back, then I’m happy to go down back. Or if I have to play up forward, I’m happy to play up forward. Wherever, I’m flexible.
You’ve also been touted as a midfield option. Is that your long-term goal?
JB: I wouldn’t mind it, but at the moment, I’m pretty happy up forward. We’ve got a pretty solid backline at the moment, so I’ll stick to the forward line. In my junior days I used to play up forward and then a few years ago, I started playing down back.
How have you have found your first two seasons at the club?
JB: Last year, I thought it was good playing 16 games. And this year has been similar and there are still a few games left, so I’m just happy maintaining my body and getting through each game. That’s one of my focuses - getting my body right and making sure there are no niggles going on.
Have you found it harder backing up after your debut season or has it been easier this year?
JB: It’s a combination of both. It’s been good the first two years. I haven’t had too many dramas to worry about. So it’s been pretty similar.
What’s surprised you most since entering the AFL system?
JB: The workload around the training we do in the pre-season is a lot. Then going into the game, the speed of it has been noticeable. They are the main things.
You were also a talented first-grade cricketer playing for Gosnells in Western Australia before being drafted. Was it a tough deciding between football and cricket?
JB: I don’t really think back much on it now. I follow it a bit when it’s on TV, but I don’t worry about it.
There is another Bennell coming through the ranks, Harley, who is regarded as one of the top youngsters in the country and is a probable Gold Coast selection. Can you clarify how you are related?
JB: I’m not quite sure. I spoke to Dad about it and he said we’re probably related somewhere along the line. John [who was a Collingwood rookie] is Harley’s brother. We’re most likely related somewhere, as we’ve got the same surname.
You’ve had to move from Bunbury, Western Australia - along with Neville Jetta - to pursue your AFL career. How have you found adjusting to life in Melbourne?
JB: It’s been really good and the club has looked after me as well. They’ve made sure I haven’t got homesick. Having Aaron [Davey], Aussie [Wonaeamirri], Liam [Jurrah] and Nev [Jetta] has been really good. Nev’s parents moved over to Melbourne as well, so having them around has been pretty comfortable and that’s been really good.
Do you now feel settled into Melbourne life?
JB: I’m pretty much settled down now. The first year was about getting settled down, but this year I feel I’ve settled down now.
Can you talk about your connection with Aaron, Aussie, Liam and Neville?
JB: As soon as we got to the club and when we got drafted, Aaron gave me a call. He looked after us as soon as we came over. And then it was great to meet Aussie and Liam. We’ve got a special connection and we just seem to bond like brothers basically.
Who have you also formed close bonds with at the club?
JB: When I was in the backline, guys like Jared Rivers and James Frawley - most of the backline blokes [I formed bonds with], but now it’s Rohan Bail and all of the forward line blokes (laughs). But I’m pretty much mates with everyone.
Although there are only a few more matches remaining, what are your goals for the rest of the season?
JB: I’d just like to play the last three games and finish off the season well and finish with a couple of wins and a few more goals - those would be the main things.
