AFTER a sizzling six weeks in the WAFL, unlucky midfielder Viv Michie is inching closer to his Fremantle debut.

The 21-year-old Victorian, who missed most of his first two years through injury, has had 30-plus disposals in four of his past six for Peel Thunder.

Peel coach Cam Shepherd said strength of character – and inside ball-winning ability -  were behind his recent run of form.

"The first thing that impresses me is his attitude in relation in wanting to put the team first," Shepherd said.

"And then once he's put the team first, then his ability to win inside ball and be able to spread and do all the things that we ask of him defensively as well has been really positive.

"I think he's shown that he's been resilient. I think he's shown he's been able to build on his game.

"As his confidence has built his performances have built at the same time."

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Michie was recruited to the Dockers with pick 44 in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft but his career stalled due to stress fractures in his right foot.

Out of contract at season's end, Michie is likely to attract interest from Melbourne-based clubs, but Dockers coach Ross Lyon insists the club is "quite excited" by Michie and he is nearing his first senior game.

"He's shown us what he can deliver … He needs to keep stacking performances together. It's a hard midfield to break into but he knows," Lyon said.

"Viv and I meet weekly and map out where he's heading.

"He's got clear aims and objectives and a path to return to playing senior football and hopefully it's in the near term.

"He is certainly banging on the door."

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Lyon said Fremantle is prepared to invest as much time as needed into Michie to ensure he doesn't suffer any further injury issues.

"We've said to Viv it's going to take you a long time to get back to AFL level," Lyon said.

"The first thing is we didn't know whether he could handle the training load because he had bone density issues and stress fracture issues.

"We've managed him in, but we also knew if we couldn't get him to full load he was no chance to play AFL football.

"So he's handled full load, he hasn't missed a session. His durability has been right up there. We knew it was going to be a two-year build, but he's way ahead of schedule.

"His God-given talent, his ability to find the ball, his decision making didn't disappear and physically he's coming on at a rate of knots."