HARLEY Bennell is ready to move on after the most tumultuous time in his footy career.
Bennell admitted he feared being sacked following drug and alcohol scandals this season, but said he now wanted to make good and be an indigenous role model.
The 22-year-old also believed his best footy was ahead of him.
Bennell was taken at No.2 in the 2010 AFL Draft and has had a patchy career to date both on and off the field.
At his best he is undoubtedly one of the most gifted footballers in the country, but faces some serious challenges.
He was suspended earlier this season for breaking team alcohol rules – not for the first time – and was caught up in a drugs furore after his picture was used on the front page of national newspapers in a hotel room with illicit drugs.
He has already been confronted by the Gold Coast leadership group and coach Rodney Eade to improve his professionalism.
And now after speaking for the first time since his latest controversy, the quietly spoken West Australian says he wants to change.
"Football's everything to me," Bennell told AFL.com.au.
"When I was young I grew up kicking the footy in the backyard with my brothers. I always wanted to play AFL.
"It's been a disappointing 2015 for myself, put it that way. I'm disappointed in myself and I want to repay the club."
Bennell admitted he had to take steps to improving his off-field conduct and said he hoped his troubles were a lesson for others.
He said the 2013 incident in the Tasmanian hotel room was a "stupid decision".
"Just one decision I never want another young footballer to go through," he said.
"Growing up I had Micky O (Michael O'Loughlin) at the AIS and he was a mentor for myself.
"The way the young indigenous boys look up to the older indigenous players is good.
"As it goes on, I want to have those young indigenous boys look up to me."
That won't come without some hard work, though.
Bennell is a popular figure among his teammates, but his erratic off-field behaviour has worn thin on some.
It is now up to his actions to regain their faith.
"I'm ready to work as hard as I can," he said.
"Head down, bum up from here. I really want to pay this football club back for having faith in me.
"It's being a professional away from the footy club, not just at the footy club.
"Knowing when you can have a beer and when you can go out, and the decisions you're about to make, will it affect the footy club and yourself.
"My best footy is still ahead of me.
"I've got to know that I'm a 24-hour professional Gold Coast Suns player."
