Fremantle’s disastrous recruitment of Harley Bennell has taken another wrong turn, with the injured star booted off a plane while under the influence of alcohol.

The Dockers have confirmed Bennell was asked to leave a Virgin flight from Melbourne to Gold Coast shortly after boarding on Saturday, having been drinking the previous day and on a connecting flight from Perth.

The 24-year-old was embroiled in several off-field controversies during his time at Gold Coast, and he hasn’t played since joining the Dockers at the end of 2015 due to persistent calf injuries.