TOPIC:

Was Michael ever taken off our list on the WAFL site?
I notice his name appears on it now.

No his name stayed on the list. But yes, i’m told he’s back at the club giving it another crack

Let’s see how long he lasts after Hoggy’s weight lifting sessions. It will either make him or break him.

I hope he's not the 80 goal a year forward that was spoken about in another thread? I always say, there's no harm in getting a one point player, but I don't hold out much hope for Bennell. He had his moments a few years back, but as soon as the AFL draft passed him by, he fell away badly. He comes back at 29-30 years old. Good luck to him. There's certainly an opening in the forward line if he's fit and motivated. 

Yes it would be wishful thinking but if he can replicate anything like the form he showed in 2018 and the first half of 2019 then why not see how he goes.

Yes. If he is committed and stays focussed he could be 40-50 goal scorer. Let’s hope he does all the work required and gets his head in a good space. Our forward line will be that much better with him firing.
Never say never. Age 27 and two years on and nothing to lose.
It is up to him. He is a talent without a doubt. Only time will tell whether or not he can deliver.

Isn't this recycling of former players been PFC problem in the past....obviously talented....where has he been playing the past 2-3 years?....if he couldn't kick 50 when motivated for a possible AFL gig....why do you guys think 3 years on he could potentially kick 50 at this level.....how many younger small forwards kicked 50 last year?

50 is unlikely for any forward in the comp. There are many ifs around his dedication and motivation, but one thing that should improve is his opportunities. Back in 2018/19 he was our sole marking target being the only decent fwd over 5 feet tall. So after the first few bags of goals, clubs wised up to our one dimensional forward line and double teamed him. This year with other marking targets such as Busher x2, Fraser, Cary and maybe even Mayne, he won’t take the best defender each week. He may find himself more space to do what he does best. That sort of thing can do wonders for confidence and enjoyment and who knows how he’ll go.
Of course we have to wait and see if he can even make it through the pre-season.

Freezin', read the posts. No-one is pinning any real hope on Bennell. But if a one point player turns up and wants to to train to get a spot on the list, what is the downside? It's not as if we have the 2021 colts team knocking down the door for selection. And the recycling of former players is not our problem. You know what our problem is, you just don't want to admit it. With virtually no local talent coming through this season, and probably the next couple as well, we will need to recycle players from all over the place just to put a squad together. Hence the fact that our off-season has seen us pick up Hug, Kieran Busher, Chapman Jones, Denzel More and Ajang. And that's on top of Hitchcock, Quill, Clark, Peletier, Martin, La Fontaine. If you're a fringe player at any state league club and you think you're good enough to play league, the welcome mat is out at Lathlain. 

Michael has averaged 2 goals a game across his career including league.
That is being targeted to get shut down.
2 goals a game = 40 per season.
I am happy to give him a go as a 1 point player.
He will need to buckle down and the hard yards.
If he does all well and good.
I will not hold my breath and it is up to Michael to prove me wrong.