FREMANTLE has received a boost to its big man stocks with developing key forward Michael Apeness signing a two-year contract extension to remain at the club until the end of 2018. 

The Dockers have great hope for Apeness despite being troubled by injury through his first three seasons at the club.

The 21-year-old Victorian said he was delighted to stay at Fremantle after a couple of difficult seasons.

"I've had a pretty rough run with injury," Apeness told fremantlefc.com.au.

"It's great the club's showed faith in me. I can't wait to pay them back with some good footy."

Fremantle's list manager Brad Lloyd said Apeness had great potential.

"We are very pleased that Michael has committed to the club until the end of the 2018 season," Lloyd said.

"Michael is a great size with the ability to cover the ground very well. He is a powerful contested marking player with a strong attack on the ball. He will play an important role on our playing list in the future, so we look forward to seeing him continue to develop as a player."

Apeness was recruited with pick No.17 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft. He played two games in 2014 but did not play any AFL football in 2015 due to a serious posterior cruciate injury.

The 200cm key forward returned against Essendon in round 11 this season for just his third AFL game but broke his collarbone and was sidelined for a further six weeks.

But he's played the last two games in the WAFL and produced a five-goal performance for Peel Thunder in a losing side on Saturday.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said Apeness was a chance to return to the Dockers' line-up for Sunday's Western Derby against the Eagles.