FREMANTLE midfielder Harley Bennell has returned to training early and after missing all of season 2016 has declared he is "hungrier than ever".
Bennell wasn't due back until November 21 but opted to come back sooner in his bid to return to peak fitness.
The 24-year-old has been running with his left calf strapped. Soft tissue injuries have plagued him throughout his career
"My off-season was really good but I’ve been back for the last two weeks now," Bennell told fremantlefc.com.au.
"My body feels good and the mind feels good. I'm feeling fresh.
"I had, well not a bad season, but injury-wise 2016 wasn't so good so I'm just coming in to get the body right, get the legs ticking over and ready for a big season in 2017.
"I'm hungrier than ever."
He is one of a number of Dockers in line to debut for the club next season, after Joel Hamling, Shane Kersten, Bradley Hill and Cam McCarthy were brought in.
"It's really good to see Brad, Cam and 'Kersto' (Kersten) out there training with the boys," he said.
"We're all really looking forward to a big 2017. Having Brad playing with his brother, he'll give us some drive off the wing.
"I played state 18s with 'Kersto' and along with Cam as well. He’s got some powerful legs so hopefully they can kick some goals for us."
Bennell was traded from Gold Coast at the end of 2015 after 81 career games. The Suns told Bennell that they would send him elsewhere after multiple off-field issues.
He was drafted at pick No.2 in 2010.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon chats with Harley Bennell during the pre-season. Picture: fremantlefc.com.au
