NEW FREMANTLE leader Bradley Hill says he will have an active role helping teammate Harley Bennell make a smooth transition back into AFL life after his eight-week exile from the club ended on Tuesday.
Bennell was due to return to club headquarters on Tuesday, after being sent away to train with WAFL alignment club Peel Thunder following an alcohol-fuelled bar room scuffle the night before a training session.
Coach Ross Lyon told Channel Nine on Monday night that he expected the 25-year-old had met all indicators to return, including skinfold requirements, and he would meet with the club hierarchy on Tuesday.
Hill, who was recently promoted to the Dockers' leadership group, said he was looking forward to seeing Bennell return, and was hopeful the talented Docker could provide "good value" in 2018.
"I had a little chat with him on Saturday and he said he's going well," Hill told AFL.com.au on Tuesday.
"He's got to meet some requirements and I'm pretty sure he's back in today.
"We're looking forward to getting him back and hopefully he can be good value for us this year and start playing some good footy.
"I'm sure that's what he wants to do and I'm looking forward to having him back."
Bennell suffered a minor calf tear while training with the Thunder last month, but Lyon expected he would be physically ready to return to Fremantle training after Tuesday's meeting.
After eight weeks with limited club contact, Hill said Bennell would have the support of Fremantle's leaders as he pushes to put two injury-ruined seasons with the Dockers behind him.
"We've got to be there to lend him a hand and help him out as much as possible," Hill said.
"If he needs people to talk to, he knows who he's close to. I'm one of those blokes he is quite close with, and I'll be there to help him with anything he needs."
Hill was promoted to a seven-man leadership group this week after crossing from Hawthorn at the end of 2016 and winning the Dockers best and fairest in his first year at the club.
The smooth-moving midfielder said he was keen to build some momentum heading into round one after a quiet performance in the opening JLT Community Series clash against Adelaide.
"Last week I was pretty sloppy, but we'll fix that up this week hopefully, and I'm feeling 100 per cent," Hill said.
"I want as many minutes as I can before round one to get the confidence up."