INJURY-PLAGUED Fremantle star Harley Bennell has turned to a ballet physiotherapist in his latest bid to get back onto the field following a string of calf setbacks.
Bennell is set to play his first game since round 23 last season for Peel in the WAFL this Saturday.
The 25-year-old suffered his most recent calf tweak in February while on a club-imposed suspension, but is ready to go again and could be back playing AFL within a month.
MATCH PREVIEW: Can Freo stun the Tigers at the G again?
"We're absolutely thrilled. It's moved along really quickly. We've done some different things in his rehab to strengthen his calf and his feet and he's moving as well as he's moved, so that's pleasing," coach Ross Lyon said.
"There's a ballet physiotherapist that I think (Ben) Reid at Collingwood did some work with and, what they can do with their feet and control, it builds up strength and helps your calves.
"That's what he's been doing, so that's really helped.
"He's (Bennell) bought in. There's a lot of detail to it and hard work, but as I've always said he works incredibly hard, so he's getting some benefit."
After fearing Michael Walters had strained a medial ligament in the Western Derby, the Dockers were relieved to discover their star forward's issue is with an unstable kneecap.
Lyon hoped Freo's leading goalkicker could be back quicker than expected for the next home game against St Kilda in round eight.
However, Doig medallist Bradley Hill's return date has been pushed back out after almost rupturing his ACL in round two.
"We've just got to be really cautious with it, so we're going to back him off for another week or so," Lyon said.
"He wanted to get moving but there's such a long-term future for Brad.
"It's not going to be within the next month I wouldn't have thought."
The Dockers face the toughest task in football this Sunday, taking on Richmond at the MCG.
Freo upset Damien Hardwick's men in an after-the-siren epic in round eight last year, but the rampant Tigers are riding a 12-game winning streak at the home of football.
Despite being flagged for a rest soon, giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands will fly east for the battle with Toby Nankervis given the Dockers' lack of ready-to-go big men.
"We're in a position where we need to play him," Lyon said.
"(Michael) Apeness still pulled up a little bit sore, so we're not sure he'll come up with WAFL. He needs a bit of a body of work.
"Aaron wants to play. We're managing him even better than we have done in the past."
Replacing Walters, after losing spearhead Matt Taberner (fractured foot) two weeks ago, is a major headache for Freo.
Former Cats forward Shane Kersten and youngster Brennan Cox are in the mix, while superstar Nat Fyfe could also be pushed into attack for longer stints.
"It would be nice to back the rest of the midfield in and put him there – I'm more prepared to do it than Nathan is," Lyon said.
"He loves being in the midfield, but we did it a bit more on the weekend and it looked dangerous."
