HARLEY Bennell will have to keep on waiting for his Fremantle comeback.

The former Gold Coast star was named Peel's best player in a loss to Perth on Saturday, his eighth WAFL appearance this season.

Bennell picked up 19 disposals and booted a goal – two weeks after returning a season-high 21 touches and one major – and is edging closer to his third Dockers appearance in three years.

However, coach Ross Lyon has already ruled him out of Saturday's trip to face Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

"Unfortunately, he's still got a little bit more work to go," Lyon told Channel Seven on Tuesday night.

"He's building, it's a measured progression.

"He's quite buoyant and in the end, he'll get there, he just needs to keep going.

"It's really exciting for him and the club."

Bennell has integrated ballet physiotherapy into his training program this year in a bid to overcome the debilitating calf setbacks that have stalled his career at 83 games.

The 25-year-old has only had one minor issue with calf tightness at Peel this year, following a strain in February, and has been building his midfield workload.

His return would be a boost for Freo in the run home, but the Dockers are in no rush.

Lyon confirmed veteran Aaron Sandilands (calf) was likely to return against the Bombers, partnering fellow big men Sean Darcy (groin) and Scott Jones.

"We think they'll both (Sandilands and Darcy) get up to be available, so that's really quite exciting, so we'll need to look at that," he said.

"Scott Jones was fantastic, so we might be playing three really tall guys because they all deserve to be in."

After upsetting top-four hopeful Port Adelaide, the Dockers are aiming to equal last year's eight wins when they meet the Bombers.

Freo will make at least one change after remorseful defender Ryan Nyhuis was suspended for three weeks for a dangerous tackle on Robbie Gray.

"It was unfortunate for all parties in that incident," Lyon said.

"Ryan's a ball player, very fair player, and Robbie Gray's a wonderful player.

"Split-second decisions, these things happen, and we all get to move on now."

Meanwhile, the Dockers have announced co-major sponsor Programmed has recommitted to the club until 2022.