No plans for Bennell to be in middle of Freo’s action

FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon has revealed Harley Bennell won’t spend any time in the midfield this year as the AFL club eases him back into competitive football.

Bennell, who has been plagued by calf issues since joining the Dockers at the end of 2015, will play his third straight match when he lines up for WAFL side Peel Thunder against Swan Districts tomorrow.

The 24-year-old played in the midfield during his controversial 81-game stint at Gold Coast. But he has played solely as a forward on limited game time for Peel Thunder over the past fortnight.

Bennell tallied 12 disposals and a goal in his first game, but had just five possessions last week. Fremantle hope to get Bennell back into their senior side at the tail-end of the year.

But Lyon said the club will continue its careful approach.

“I wouldn’t have thought there would be midfield work for Harley at any level this year. It’s just not feasible,” Lyon said yesterday.

“He’s progressing really well but underneath that there’s that risk profile.

“He’ll continue to build and build and then hopefully get to a point where we can select him for the AFL.”

Fremantle will be without Michael Walters (knee) for the rest of the season, while defender Lee Spurr (calf) will miss up to four weeks.