FORMER St Kilda star Leigh Montagna believes two other clubs would be interested in Fremantle’s Harley Bennell, should the club look to move the midfielder on during the 2018 off-season.

Bennell signed a new one-year deal with the Dockers in August, but on Tuesday, journalist Sam McClure reported Fremantle was trying to part ways with the injury-prone player.

“I can tell you this morning that Fremantle, as we go to air today, are trying to break its contract with Harley Bennell,” McClure told AFL Trade Radio.

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“They are trying to move him on from the club despite, only weeks ago, handing Harley Bennell a one-year contract extension.”

But Montagna explained a club such as Hawthorn or Sydney may be able to get the best out of Bennell, if the Dockers were to move him on.

“I think there will be (interest),” Montagna said on Fox Footy’s Trade Lowdown.

“I think a certain type of club that has probably got a strong culture, that thinks they can back themselves in (would look at Bennell).

“Maybe a club like the Sydney Swans, they’ve done it in the past — maybe Hawthorn, we know they’ve had a good success at it, but I still think he’s talented enough and still young enough that you can take a risk on him and maybe you can get some football out of him.”

The 26-year-old has played just two games in the last three seasons, with the onballer having averaged 98 Champion Data rankings points between 2012 and 2015.

“It’s just another example of contracts and what they mean and how little they mean to current players and also clubs that have them.” Senior foxfooty.com.au AFL reporter Tom Morris told Trade Lowdown.

In September, Dockers champion Peter Bell returned to the club as its general manager of football operations.

McClure explained it was Bell who was keen to see Bennell depart the Dockers.

“My understanding is that Peter Bell is trying to move on Harley Bennell,” he said.

“There would have to be some kind of financial resolution if they can’t find another club to trade for Harley Bennell.

“My understanding is over the weekend Fremantle have been looking for other clubs.”

Montagna explained that his former coach Ross Lyon showed a lot of faith in his players and had brought Bennell to the club, thinking he could get something out of the talented youngster.

“It does seem that way (that it is Bell’s idea), because Ross shows a lot of faith in his players, particular when he’s backed them,” Montagna said.

“He got Bennell to the club and he thought he could get something out of him, he did say that it was probably his last chance, so I can see why Fremantle would be wanting to move.

“I still think it’s a risk worth taking for another club in the right circumstances.”

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