FREMANTLE'S rough day on the injury front has gone from bad to worse with Harley Bennell suffering a lower right leg problem while playing for Peel.

In his fourth-straight game coming back from more calf woes, Bennell came from the field at Mineral Resources Park after going down in the first quarter and was on crutches shortly after.

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AFL.com.au understands the former Sun had ice applied to his right ankle area and Fremantle said the extent of the injury would be advised following scans and assessment in coming days.

The setback is a bitter blow for Bennell who was firming for a long-awaited recall for the Dockers next round against Carlton.

A hamstring problem suffered by Stephen Hill in the Dockers' loss to Melbourne at the MCG earlier on Saturday could have opened the door for Bennell's first game since round 23, 2017.

FREO FALLS AT THE 'G Demons add insult to Dockers' injuries

He made a fast start for Peel against Perth on Saturday, kicking a goal in the opening seconds before hurting himself after making on a lead.

Bennell limped from the field after having four kicks and scoring 1.1.

"He was quite lively early in the game. I don't know what the exact injury is yet but our fingers are crossed and we hope for the best," Peel coach Cam Shepherd told AFL.com.au.

"There is concern with all lower legs (injuries) but I don't know what it is."

In his previous three games, he averaged 22 disposals and booted four goals to push for a recall.

"He'd been building but he'd been out for so long that I think the argument has been let's get a bank of games into him so that he can succeed, rather than put him under pressure," Shepherd said.

The 26-year-old has only managed two games in three-and-a-half years since returning to WA from Gold Coast at the end of 2015 after a litany of calf problems.

Bennell is out of contract at the end of this season after signing a one-year deal last August.

The Dockers' dirty day included Jesse Hogan sustaining another foot injury – which coach Ross Lyon denied was a navicular issue.

Hogan's final campaign at Melbourne ended in round 21 last season when he suffered a stress fracture to the navicular bone in his right foot.

Freo star Michael Walters was also reported for headbutting in the 14-point loss to the Demons.

In heavy rain throughout the second half, Peel defeated Perth 11.18 (84) to 6.6 (42) to end a four-game losing streak.

"We hadn't actually been playing that badly but just hadn't won. Whenever you lose games in a streak you start to worry and we were pretty keen to reverse that," Shepherd said.

The Thunder only had one player on the bench at the end of the game when Freo's Next Generation Academy draftee Jason Carter came off with a corked leg.

Shepherd was pleased with youngster Sam Sturt (14 disposals) showing courage in his first game for two months after his second concussion.

"He went back with the flight and the bloke who goes back with the flight who has had concussion shows a bit of capacity mentally, so a good response," Shepherd said.

Youngster Adam Cerra (19 disposals) put his hand up for a recall after being overlooked for the Melbourne clash coming back from illness.

Veteran small forward Hayden Ballantyne booted two goals, while Cam McCarthy kicked 1.3 and Bailey Banfield pushed his case again with a team-high 32 touches and nine inside 50s.

"Strong inside and set the tone. The conditions were really suited and Bailey didn't disappoint," Shepherd said.

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