HARLEY Bennell could gain some valuable match fitness in a WAFL pre-season clash later this month as he edges closer to returning to Fremantle from a club-imposed suspension.
The banished Docker is determined to resurrect his AFL career at the earliest opportunity, and hopes to be in the mix for the club's last JLT Community Series fixture against West Coast on March 11.
A Peel pre-season hit-out against Perth on February 24 could help pave the way back for Bennell who, Thunder insiders say, has not put a foot wrong at training since he was ordered away by the Dockers.
The 25-year-old has now completed more than a month of his minimum eight-week ban following a nightclub altercation that involved "an excessive amount of alcohol" in early January.
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Fremantle sent the ex-Gold Coast midfielder away to train at WAFL alignment club Peel with clear performance metrics – including skinfold tests – he has to hit and a rigorous fitness program to follow before being allowed back into the fold.
AFL.com.au understands the exiled Docker is also undertaking extra boxing sessions twice a week to help kick start his stalled career.
Fremantle has not guaranteed him an immediate return once his ban ticks past eight weeks in early March.
But if he is welcomed back to Cockburn headquarters at the first chance, those close to Bennell believe he would be fit enough to feature in Freo's JLT clash against the Eagles.
It is unclear if the Dockers would consider him for their final full-scale hit-out before a tough round one trip to face Port Adelaide.
Fremantle is monitoring Bennell's progress at Peel and his GPS data is being sent back to the club, but they have largely given the Thunder space to oversee his individualised football program.
Bennell takes part in two of the Thunder's three training sessions each week at their Mandurah base, where has been regularly supported from the sidelines by family members, including his mother Kayleen.
Since returning to his local club, Bennell's attitude, work-rate and investment in Peel's summer regime has impressed the Thunder.
The former No.2 draft pick's willingness to help educate Peel's younger generation has received particular praise from club officials and players, while he has been a standout performer in match simulation.
At Rushton Park on Thursday evening, Bennell was in sharp touch playing three 12-minute quarters of an intraclub match.
The former Sun started in attack and nailed the opening goal into the breeze, splitting the middle from 45m after outmaneuvering his opponent and plucking an excellent contested mark.
He finished with 2.1, extracted multiple centre clearances and covered significant territory pushing into the engine room in a role earmarked by the Dockers.
Bennell then ran three rapid laps around the boundary line – leading one of Peel's strongest runners Brayden Lawler – in an indication he is not bothered by the chronic calf trouble that has severely hampered his time at the Dockers.
He has only played two games for Freo following his high-profile trade at the end of 2015 on a three-year deal.
It is yet to be confirmed if Bennell will play for Peel at Lathlain Park on February 24, although that shapes as his only match practice opportunity before his ban is due to expire.
The Thunder's next scratch match isn't until the reigning WAFL premiers travel to Claremont Oval on March 10, the day before Freo takes on West Coast at Joondalup.
