Injury-prone Fremantle midfielder Harley Bennell made a successful return to football via the WAFL over the weekend.
In his first match in nine months, Bennell had 30 disposals, took five marks and booted two goals in an 80-minute hit-out for Peel Thunder against West Perth on Saturday.
The luckless Docker took a huge step towards playing a first senior game since Round 23 2017 after another pre-season ravaged by injury.
AFL Nation’s Tim Gossage says the club's decision to play Bennell was a “roll of a dice” but it could pave the way for a long-awaited AFL return.
“What they do lack is a bit of zip in the midfield and a bit of clean ball use inside 50. That’s what he would be good for, playing half-forward, wing, that sort of rotation role,” Gossage told SEN’s KB and The Doc.
“I think he will play AFL football again. I thought it was a roll of the dice moment for him on the weekend by Fremantle. If he didn’t get through, they would have put a line through him going forward.
“He may have saved his career. He would be a nice little spark if he could bring that, albeit only in the WAFL, to Fremantle.”
Bennell, 26, signed a one-year deal with Fremantle last October and has played a total of 83 games since he was selected with pick No.2 in the 2010 AFL Draft.
Listen to Tim Gossage’s chat on SEN’s KB and The Doc with Kevin Bartlett and Dr Turf in the player below