FORGOTTEN Fremantle midfielder Harley Bennell is set to play his first game since March last year after being named in Peel Thunder's round 17 team.

Bennell is yet to play a senior game for Fremantle since crossing from Gold Coast in the 2015 trade period on a three-year deal, having been plagued by calf injuries on both legs.

The 2010 draft's No.2 pick played the Docker's final NAB Challenge game in 2016 but has not played since representing Freo's affiliate, Peel Thunder, a week later in round one of the WAFL season, when he starred with 23 possessions and four goals.

Since the start of the 2017 pre-season, Bennell has torn his "good" left calf, been treated by specialist Dr Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt in Germany, and severely strained his left calf again.

His life off the field has also had its share of hiccups. He was fined $400 in January for driving while his licence was suspended, was asked to disembark a flight from Melbourne to Gold Coast in April for being intoxicated, and was fined $10,000 (half of it suspended for 12 months) by the Dockers for his bizarre behavior during a Peel match in May.

The 24-year-old will be hoping his tough run is over after being named at centre in the Thunder team that will play East Perth at Leederville Oval on Saturday.

Earlier this week, Freo coach Ross Lyon forecast Bennell's likely return, but said he would play limited game time.

"It's really pleasing, but we don't expect a huge amount," Lyon told Channel Seven.

"We know everyone will get there and watch him but for Harley, who has persisted and persevered and showed good resilience, it's a step in the right direction.

"He'll only play about 60 minutes, but it's a good start."

Bennell played 81 games and kicked 92 goals for Gold Coast from 2011-15. He finished second in the Suns' 2012 best and fairest award behind Gary Ablett.