Harley Bennell will play for Peel Thunder against Claremont this weekend – his first game of 2018 after another calf injury and an off-field issue over summer.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has revealed the Dockers have used a physiotherapist who specialises in ballet – also used by Collingwood’s Ben Reid who has been troubled by calf issues in recent years.

In other news Lyon:

Said ruckman Aaron Aandilands will play against Richmond this weekend. The Dockers are keen to rest Sandilands at some point but would need to play him against the Tigers because of a lack of options.

Was hopeful that Michael Walters would be back much sooner than expected. Walters injury suffered in the derby was thought to be a medial knee ligament but is now believed to be a kneecap issue and he could be back in round eight.

Was adamant that the club’s youngsters Adam Cerra, Mitch Crowden, Andrew Brayshaw, Taylin Duman and Bailey Banfield will all play against the Tigers. Lyon said he was delighted with their progress.

Bennell hasn’t played since round 23 against Essendon at Etihad Stadium last year. He was suspended from the club for eight weeks over summer after a scuffle with bouncers and then suffered a minor calf injury while in exile at Peel.

“He will play at Peel this week. We are absolutely thrilled. It has moved along really quickly and we have done some different things in his rehab to strengthen his calf and his feet and he is moving as well as he has moved,” Lyon said.

“From there it is potentially a four week build to playing senior football. He won’t like the four weeks. He might be three but I think he will be three minimum and then he has got to find form.”

Lyon said Bennell would be nursed back into football with game time gradually increasing over the next month.

“It will probably go 50, 70, 90%,” he said.

He also said the club had gone outside of its own medicos to try and find a long term solution to Bennell’s persistent calf issues.

“He has been doing some strengthening exercises that when you move your feet you move your calf. We have got some expertise outside of the club that has been working really well.”

“There is a ballet physiotherapist that Reid at Collingwood did some work with . It is to do with their feet and control and builds up strength in their calves,” he said.