HARLEY Bennell didn't believe he was ready to make his long-awaited Fremantle comeback against Hawthorn, but the injury-plagued midfielder could be unleashed in the Western Derby cauldron in round 20. 

Bennell's ninth WAFL appearance for the season last Saturday was the first time he has had restrictions on his game time and running lifted.

The 25-year-old picked up 22 touches, booted 1.2 and was in the mix to face the Hawks at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

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"He needs to ramp it up a bit more – clearly we've got benchmarks – and his form was solid," coach Ross Lyon said.

"But for the calibre of player Harley is, and he was the first to say 'I think I definitely need another game down there, I need to improve my football'.

"So that's coming from Harley, but we like the durability, we like that he's stacked up another game, another training session.

"I think when it's coming from Harley himself saying 'I've got plenty of improvement', we always listen to our players, so he's a pretty good measuring stick.

"On the back of this weekend, he will certainly be more available in a conditioning sense than he has been." 

Bennell has put together a solid block of form over the past month, averaging nearly 19 disposals in four games, and is showing no signs of the calf dramas that have derailed his career.

He is nearing the end of his three-year deal since being traded from Gold Coast, after a controversial end to his tenure at the expansion club.

Lyon has guaranteed him a new contract regardless of whether he plays AFL this season and provided he continues to toe the line off the field.

Bennell has only made two appearances in purple, in rounds 22 and 23 last year, but was limited to playing in attack and Lyon wants Bennell to be capable of rotating through midfield.

"We considered him this week, but we need his form to get a bit better and his run to get a bit better," Lyon said.

"At the end of the day, you pick yourself. I don't think anyone thinks Harley's flying, (or) he would be flying and we would leave him out, it doesn't make sense.

"He's still working through it, but it's really building, so that's good."

Bennell won't be the only high-profile Docker playing for Peel against financially-embattled West Perth on Saturday, with forward Cam McCarthy dropped again only two games into his return.


McCarthy had just 13 disposals combined and kicked two goals against Port Adelaide and Essendon. 

The Dockers considered recalling key forward Matt Taberner coming back from a broken foot suffered in round five, but erred on the side of caution and he will also line-up for Peel.

"We thought about him for a number of reasons, but it wouldn't be fair to him," Lyon said.

"We'd look (at him before season's end) if he can hit form and run well. 

"We're crying out for a big, strong man."