SORE Fremantle defender Joel Hamling is "itching" to prove his fitness and renew hostilities with West Coast spearhead Josh Kennedy in Sunday's crunch Western Derby, Dockers star Lachie Neale says.

Hamling is battling a hip/pelvis complaint from last round's gripping win over North Melbourne, and the ex-Western Bulldogs premiership backman was restricted to jogging gingerly around the boundary at training on Wednesday.

But with four days until the match, Fremantle expects Hamling to take his place for what is, almost certainly, the final derby at Domain Stadium.

"He's obviously a bit sore but that's not unusual this time of the week," Neale said.

"Hopefully he'll get up and train on Friday.

"I know he's itching to play."

Hamling's potential duel with Kennedy, who is no certainty to return from a calf/Achilles issue, looms as a pivotal contest as the Eagles (8-7) and Dockers (7-8) fight to stay in the finals race.

Hamling has been hung out to dry on the Eagles star twice this year, with Kennedy booting five goals during the JLT Community Series and winning the Ross Glendinning Medal after bagging six majors in round six.

"(We) mids haven't applied that pressure, and left him one-out with probably the best forward in the competition, along with Buddy (Lance Franklin)," Neale said.

"We need to help him out – and the backs as well get some roll-off and support because (Kennedy's) a dangerous player."

Aside from Hamling, there were concerns over Bradley Hill at Freo training after he left the track early.
The speedy wingman returned briefly and jogged around the boundary but didn't re-join the main group.

Veteran backman Michael Johnson didn't train, however former skipper David Mundy – a late withdrawal from the Roos clash due to illness – and Brady Grey (shoulder) completed the session.

Injury-plagued star Harley Bennell also got through training and is set to make a long-awaited return for Peel on Saturday.

The ex-Gold Coast midfielder hasn't played at any level for 16 months due to repeated setbacks with his troublesome calves, and is scheduled to play about 60 minutes for the Thunder against East Perth.

"He's really excited. He's moving really well and he has done the last few weeks," Neale said.

Barring any hiccups Bennell, who was named in Peel's reserves team last weekend to help him qualify for WAFL finals, could push for an AFL return late this season.

"I know all he's focusing on is building his form in the WAFL over the next few weeks and he might get an opportunity later in the year," Neale said.

"For him it's just about playing footy and he'll be stoked with that."