Universal Love Bennell re-signs until 2017

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Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
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Final piece of the puzzle will be complete today when they announce his re-signing.

Gold Coast young gun Harley Bennell commits to Suns, signing new three-year contract to remain at club until the end of 2017
HARLEY Bennell will today break the hearts of Western Australia’s two AFL clubs by announcing he has signed a new three year deal worth over $1.5m to stay with the Suns.

The midfielder’s re-signing caps a stunning retention campaign by Suns list manager Scott Clayton that has seen David Swallow, Sam Day, Steven May and Brandon Matera commit to new deals this season.

Highly-rated draftees Kade Kolodjashnij and Sean Lemmens also added an extra year to their standard two-year draft contracts before they had played a game.

Locking away the in-demand West Australian is the feather in Clayton’s cap. The Suns would not comment last night but The Courier-Mail understands Bennell travelled to Perth on Wednesday, a day ahead of his team mates, to finalise the contract with his WA based manager Colin Young and to inform his family of his decision.

Bennell is the second best player at the club behind skipper Gary Ablett and his deft ball handling, vision and uncanny goal sense adds a different dimension to a side attracting reviews for its blue-collar ethos.

He was also the player, along with Steven May who could play key forward at most clubs in the competition, the Suns' had to work hardest to keep.

The 22-year-old could have become one of football's highest paid players has he chosen to return home to Western Australia.

The Suns’ young midfield is the envy of the entire competition because of its balance. They pride themselves on contested footy and are one of the best clearance sides in the competition while the pace of Bennell, Swallow and Jaeger O’Meara ensure they are deadly on the outside.

Each player brings something different to the mix.

Swallow is one of the most combative players in the competition, Dion Prestia is a tireless accumulator and O’Meara combines natural two-way running with strong finishing skills.

Gamebreaker Bennell is the cream on the cake. He brings creative outside run and is a nightmare for defenders in one-on-one contests inside the attacking fifty.

Meanwhile, the Suns have reported a 17 per cent increase in crowd numbers this season.

Sunday’s crowd of 21,354 for the clash with the Swans was the third largest in the club’s four-year history, only exceeded by the 23,302, against Collingwood in 2011 and 21,485 for the inaugural game at Metricon Stadium against Geelong the same year.

Suns CEO Travis Auld said the club hoped to break the record in coming weeks against Geelong and Collingwood.

“Our supporters have in a short time developed a real passion to come to the footy and support their team and we will need that support when we take on Geelong and Collingwood at home over the next few weeks, promising to draw big crowds once again,’’ he said.
 

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Nov 17, 2009
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