HARLEY Bennell has strained his troublesome left calf while training with Melbourne this week.
The injury is understood to be minor, but given Bennell's history of calf injuries, the timeframe for return is yet to be determined.
The No.2 pick from the 2010 NAB AFL Draft has managed just two AFL games since 2015 following multiple setbacks to both calves.
Bennell will rehabilitate with the club, despite not being contracted.
The 27-year-old had been doing light training away from Melbourne's main group in recent weeks.
The Demons had allowed the former Gold Coast and Fremantle midfielder to train with them, with the potential to sign him through the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period.
The history of Harley Bennell's calves
Sunday, March 2, 2014 – Bennell plays a pre-season game for Gold Coast against Collingwood but a problematic calf issue means he doesn't return, via the NEAFL, until April.
Pre-Christmas, 2015 – Suffered a calf injury and has 'ongoing calf problems' during the pre-season.
Saturday, March 19, 2016 – Calf strain while playing for Peel Thunder. Picked up 23 disposals and slotted four goals in that display.
Friday, November 18, 2016 – Left calf strain at training, which was then considered his 'good' calf.
Sunday, December 10, 2016 – Bennell leaves for Munich, Germany, to consult with world-renowned soft-tissue expert Dr Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt for his problematic calves.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017 – Another left calf injury. Initially diagnosed as a minor tear but further scans showed it was more serious than first thought. Had yet to resume full training before that setback.
Wednesday, February 14, 2018 – Grade one tear in his left calf while training with Peel.
Saturday, June 2, 2018 – Calf tightness in his fourth-straight game for Peel. Sat out the second half of the clash with Claremont.
Saturday, July 28, 2018 – Left calf injury while playing for Peel. Pulled up short early in the last quarter after a 27-disposal and two-goal effort against West Perth and went to the bench, but eventually returned to the field.
Saturday, August 18, 2018 – Calf injury while playing for Peel in the second half of a match against Claremont, attempting a comeback after three weeks on the sidelines.
Week of January 21, 2019 – Bennell experiences calf tightness during a pre-season training session.
Friday, February 8, 2019 – Bennell strains a calf while training.
Tuesday, April 16, 2019 - Bennell experiences calf soreness at the end of training. An ultrasound showed no abnormalties, but an MRI confirmed he had re-injured his right calf.
Saturday, June 23, 2019 - Bennell suffers a 'significant right calf tear' early on in his fourth straight WAFL game as he was closing in on an AFL recall.
Monday, July 15, 2019 - Dockers confirm Bennell will part ways with the club at the end of the season.
Week of July 22, 2019 - Bennell undergoes surgery in Brisbane with renowned Geelong-based sports physiotherapist Peter Stanton.
Week of November 3, 2019 – Bennell accepts an offer to train with Melbourne in hopes of being picked up through the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period.
Week of January 25, 2020 – Bennell suffers a minor strain to his troublesome left calf. Melbourne confirms he'll rehabilitate his injury with them despite not having a contract.
