AFL star's mum tells trolls to lay off her son as his life spirals out of control and he is rushed to hospital after breaching the COVID bubble and 'going on a bender' - while his pregnant wife is stuck on the other side of the country
Harley Bennell's mum has issued a stark messages to online trolls after her AFL star son was rushed to hospital following a 'boozy night' on the Gold Coast - just hours after he announced his retirement in the wake of a COVID-19 breach.
The Melbourne Demons player was ordered to leave Queensland after breaking the club bubble to visit an 'unapproved premises' in Maroochydore on September 19.
The 27-year-old retired after the incident on Monday, while the Demons were fined $50,000.
Despite his orders from the AFL, Bennell remained on the Gold Coast with friends while the Demons have been trying to organise his flight home to Perth.
Bennell was reportedly taken to hospital on Monday night after police were called to the Aria building at Broadbeach following reports of a disturbance at about 8pm.
Sources told The Courier-Mail Bennell was allegedly heavily intoxicated after celebrating the end of his AFL career and officers decided to call an ambulance.
AFL star Harley Bennell (pictured with girlfriend Amy Crellin) remains in Queensland despite being told to leave by the AFL
The 27-year-old (pictured in action for The Demons) breached the AFL's COVID-19 return to play safety protocols to visit an 'unapproved premises' in Maroochydore on September 19
Bennell's mum Kayleen said she was worried about her son's mental state after he announced his retirement from the game
Bennell's partner Amy Crellin and their child already left the state in the days after his coronavirus breach. She is pregnant with the couple's second child.
Bennell's mum Kayleen said she was worried about her son's mental state after he announced his retirement from the game.
'Very disappointing... Knowing my son is still stuck in Queensland with no family support,' she wrote on Facebook.
'I'm his mother and I'm very concerned for his well-being and mental state.'
Kayleen shared her concerns to a Facebook group for The Demons, alongside screenshots of AFL fans slamming her son.
'You so called humans want to discuss how he upset you all,' she wrote.
'What gives you the right to still call him names?'
Earlier, Melbourne CEO Gary Pert said Bennell's actions were selfish and a 'clear breach' of the AFL's COVID-19 protocols.
'He has made a very poor decision, which is incredibly disappointing,' Mr Pert said.
Kayleen (right with Bennell) shared her concerns to a Facebook group for The Demons, alongside screenshots of AFL fans slamming her son
Bennell's partner Amy Crellin and their child already left the state in the days after his coronavirus breach
'He has not only put himself, his teammates and the competition at risk, but he has failed to live up to the values of the Melbourne Football Club.'
Mr Pert apologised for the midfielder's behaviour and said the club accepted the $50,000 fine.
Upon learning of a potential breach, the Demons immediately notified the AFL, which investigated the matter.
AFL General Counsel Andrew Dillon said the AFL's protocols are the competition's license to play and anyone breaching them will be held to account.
'Harley knew the rules and could have put his club and the competition at risk on the eve of a finals campaign,' Mr Dillon said.
The midfielder and former No.2 draft pick took to social media to call time on his rollercoaster 88-game career, which began in 2011 at Gold Coast.
Posting a photo on Instagram of himself in a jumper at all three of his AFL clubs - the Suns, Fremantle and the Demons - Bennell said it had been the 'best 10 years of my life'.
'Thank you to everyone that was involved. It was an awesome ride,' Bennell wrote.
Bennell started his AFL career with the Gold Coast Suns where he enjoyed a breakout season in 2012
Bennell appeared set to earn a new contract with the club before the indiscretion after playing five games in his first season at Melbourne.
Injuries kept him to just two games in a four-year stint at Fremantle and he departed the Dockers in July 2019.
Melbourne acknowledged Bennell's retirement, posting on social media: 'Wishing you all the best for the future, Harley'.
Bennell played his best football at the Suns, enjoying a breakout season in 2012 when he finished second in the club's best-and-fairest behind Gary Ablett Jnr.
Disciplinary issues saw him fall out-of-favour at Gold Coast and he was traded to Fremantle at the end of the 2015 season.
Bennell (pictured with girlfriend Amy Crellin) announced his retirement on Monday in the wake of his COVID breach
On August 24, Bennell's partner Amy announced the pair were expecting their second child.
'Baby Number two on the way,' she wrote.
'Thanks to our hub fam for making it special.'
The couple are proud parents to daughter Carter-Ivy, who they often share happy snaps of on their Instagram profiles.
Kayleen said she was her son's 'number one fan' after he announced he would walk away from the AFL.
'Well my son you started on this journey, so many years ago, and now it's time to leave behind dear friends you've come to know,' she wrote on Facebook.
'It seemed to me that it was just more than a game to you, the passion and the love you have for the sport shone through.
'You set the highest standards for yourself and others, showing it when you got the chance too.'
Kayleen said her son endued 'so many obstacles along the way' but he was not deterred.
'Thanks my son for all those great memories and stand proud and tall for all that you have overcome,' she wrote.
'Now I pray God keeps you safe and well, wherever you may turn, surrounded by your loved ones. I love you. Your number 1 fan... your mum.'
On August 24, Bennell's partner Amy announced the pair were expecting their second child