FREMANTLE forward Brandon Matera says close mate Harley Bennell is in his best physical condition since their time together on the Gold Coast, as the talented but injury-plagued midfielder prepares for a make-or-break season. 

Bennell signed a one-year contract for 2019 last August, after a string of calf setbacks restricted him to just two appearances for Fremantle in three years.

The 26-year-old has completed a power of running this summer following a review of his training regime, and Matera was hopeful Bennell could recapture his best.

PLAY AFL FANTASY Make your team now

"He's going really well and he's in a good headspace, which is really good for Harley, and injury-free," Matera told AFL.com.au. 

"I say it to him, it's the best I've seen him since the Gold Coast days and it's sad that Freo haven't seen that yet.

"I'm really hoping that he keeps going with his pre-season, keeps ticking off every session, because he hasn't really missed a session.

"The more time he is out there, the better it is going to get for him, the more confidence he gets in himself.

"Freo haven't seen the best of Harley yet and I really hope we can see it this year. I'm really close with him, and he's confident and I'm confident in him to get there.

"I really hope he can."

FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game

Bennell managed 11 appearances for Peel last WAFL season, but his hopes of an AFL comeback were derailed by yet another calf strain.

Questions remain whether he still has the explosiveness which made him one of the competition's most dynamic onballers during his 81-game, 92-goal career at Gold Coast. 

Bennell hasn't been sighted at AFL level since round 23, 2017, and showed flashes of brilliance for the Thunder last year without consistently dominating the lower level.

"If you watch him each session you see him go a bit quicker. You see him explode out of a stoppage," Matera said.

"Even his skills, he's hitting targets, his one-touch is getting better. From this time last year to this year, his confidence is really good.

"That's what I like to see in people and it's definitely going to help him going forward this year."

WHO MAKES FINALS? Do the 2019 Ladder Predictor

Bennell is walking a tightrope to keep his career alive after being told by new football boss Peter Bell another off-field hiccup would spell an end to his time at Fremantle.

The former No.2 draft pick was asked to leave the Ocean Beach Hotel in Cottesloe late last month, however the Dockers didn't announce any sanction following the apparently minor incident.

"I was there with him, so I don't really want to comment too much on it. It sort of got blown out of proportion," Matera said.

"He's got a bit of a target on his back with being in Perth now, so he's got to watch himself, and he knows that.

"Obviously it was a small hiccup, hasn't changed anything, he's training well still, he's still in a good spot.

"He knows us boys have all got his back. He'll be fine. He's all good."