Fremantle pair Harley Bennell and Aaron Sandilands are one injury setback away each from being forced into retirement, according to club great Paul Hasleby.
Bennell, 26, hasn’t played since Round 23, 2017 after being plagued by calf injuries since joining the Dockers at the end of 2015.
The former No.2 draft pick is edging closer to a return after sustaining another calf setback during a training session in April.
“I think there’s a watch with the Fremantle Dockers with Harley Bennell coming back to full training,” Hasleby told AFL Nation.
“I think they’re pushing that a little bit just to see what happens, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he got another bad calf injury in the next week or two that they may make that decision.”
Veteran ruckman Sandilands – who hasn’t played since Round 13 last year – is also nearing full fitness after suffering a long-term calf problem of his own.
The 36-year-old was reportedly persuaded out of a mid-season retirement by the Dockers after he offered to open up a spot for the club ahead of the mid-season draft.
“The other one is Aaron Sandilands, who we haven’t seen yet,” Hasleby said.
“He’s just started running and if he were to have any setback with that calf right now, I think that would spell the end.
“Knowing Aaron, he would be thinking about doing the right thing much like (Shaun) Grigg did.”
Sandilands – a four-time All-Australian - has played 265 games for Fremantle after debuting back in 2003.