A change of lifestyle and stronger appreciation for playing the game he loves has seen Harley Bennell elevate into the Gold Coast SUNS rising midfield class, and in this week’s special SUNS TV Player Feature, the lively goal-sneak shares his recent understanding of the importance of taking care of his body on the field and away from the football Club. 

“I’ve grown up a lot in terms of my professionalism on and off the field,” Bennell told SUNS TV. 

“The whole dynamic of the AFL environment has changed my life.”

Away from football, the 21-year-old excitement machine is a passionate ambassador for the GC SUNS SHINE schools program – promoting the benefits of healthy eating, beach safety awareness and being actively involved in recreational sport. 

“With the SHINE program a couple of the boys get selected to go to different parts of the GC and get around the kids and talk about healthy eating,” he said.

“When I was growing up we didn’t have many AFL players come visit us in school and show us these kinds of things, so I think it’s really good for the schools on the Gold Coast, and also for the Club’s community team who are putting it on for the kids.”

Bennell said fellow Gold Coaster and housemate Tom Lynch was a handy influence to have around the house, with the 199cm key forward ensuring everyone remained accountable for their dietary requirements away from Metricon Stadium. 

“I’ve got four really close mates on the Gold Coast in Brandon Matera, Trent McKenzie, Tom Lynch and Jacob Gillbee and we’ve got a really healthy household,” Bennell said.

“We’ve got Lynchy who’s always on our back about what we’re eating which is great.

“We all keep each other accountable on what we eat and do off the field.”

The Western Australian is hoping his renewed appreciation for all the off-field aspects of being an AFL player helps him reap further success around goals as the Gold Coasters gradually break out of the bottom bracket of the Premiership ladder.

“I’d like to become an elite midfielder, when I’m at training I try and master my crafter, whether it be set-shots at goal from the boundary line because anything could pop up in a game,” said Bennell.

“I was really nervous in my first year lining up for because of the large crowds, but I’ve been able to change a few steps in my set shot and drop the ball closer to my foot than it was before which has helped.

“It’s all practice, practice, practice.”