IT WASN'T vintage Harley Bennell, but the injury-plagued star kept his name in front of Fremantle's match committee with a hard-working effort in Peel's disappointing 42-point defeat to Subiaco on Friday night.
Coming off 21 disposals, eight clearances and a goal last round, Bennell played exclusively through midfield and gathered 13 touches and laid four tackles as the reigning premiers, with 11 Dockers in the line-up, were totally outplayed in a 9.15 (69) to 2.5 (17) loss.
Peel's intent wasn't lacking on a chilly but dry evening at Leederville Oval, but the Thunder had to wait until the six-minute mark of the final term for their opening major, courtesy of Matthew Piggott after a 50m penalty.
Dockers-listed tall forward Luke Strnadica then added their second at the 24-minute mark with a 40m set shot.
As they have all season, the Lions looked in a different class as they romped to a 12th-straight victory in last year's Grand Final rematch.
Subiaco – led by former West Coast, Dockers and Power midfielder Jarrad Schofield – remains on track for the first undefeated WAFL season since 1946.
The Lions almost achieved the feat a decade ago, but were thwarted by Swan Districts in a one-point loss – their only blemish for the season.
It was a dirty night for Peel, which lacked forward structure and was dominated in inside 50s (60-26) and disposals (380-306).
However, a positive was Bennell getting through unscathed after countless calf setbacks in nearly three seasons at Freo.
"He didn't play as well as he played last week, but he got through, and played more minutes and had more sprint, so it's all a positive from that point-of-view," Peel coach Cam Shepherd told AFL.com.au.
The former Sun hasn't been sighted for the Dockers since round 23 last year and is inching closer to a return after seven WAFL appearances.
He could be in the mix for next Sunday's clash with Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium, although coach Ross Lyon downplayed his chances of a recall during his weekly press conference.
Injured Freo skipper Nat Fyfe was among those watching on Friday night but there was little to get enthused about.
Veteran duo Michael Johnson (20 disposals) and Danyle Pearce (29) tried hard to stem the tide in defence, but forward Cam McCarthy (11 disposals, three marks) found the going tough.
It was the former Giants' fourth match back at Peel since being dropped and a Freo return doesn't appear imminent.
After being overlooked for Sean Darcy for a date with Melbourne giant Max Gawn, developing ruckman Scott Jones fought an even battle with ex-Dockers big man Zac Clarke.
Nuggety midfielder Tom North (15 disposals) showed some benefits of a mid-season break in his second game back at the level but faded, while rebounding defender Taylin Duman (21) was overworked as Peel suffered a second loss to Subiaco in 2018.
"It was probably a fair indication of where we're at, and a fair indication of where Subiaco are at," Shepherd said.
"We always knew this was going to be a challenge.
"We had 90 tackles. I don't think we threw in the towel, but we were beaten by a pretty classy outfit.
"Credit to them, they've set the benchmark and it's up to someone in the WAFL to try to chase them down."
