Joel Bennett admits he will probably be “bench-pressing a broomstick” when he begins to build up strength after recent back surgery. Bennett was crunched after backing into a pack late in a match against Inverleigh, leaving the 2023 Whitley medallist with three broken vertebrae. “So they ended up removing that one and then doing a bit of work to get the troublesome one out. Joel Bennett with children Flynn, 5, and Zahli, 3, following his surgery. “It’s pretty cute at the moment,” Bennett said.