FREMANTLE recruit Harley Bennell is back running ahead of the pre-season after missing the entire season with a calf injury.

Bennell was the Dockers' prized recruit during last year's trade period.

He played the last game of the NAB Challenge against Geelong before dominating in round one of WAFL in the week prior to the AFL season starting for Peel Thunder.

But he suffered a calf injury late in that match that ruled him out for another extended period.

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The Dockers consulted experts at the Australian Institute of Sport to find a solution to his issue but eventually ruled him out for the season in order to try and fully rehabilitate his calf.

Bennell has been using a scooter at training in recent weeks as part of his rehab but Dockers sport science manager Jason Weber told the club's website on Tuesday that he had progressed to running and would continue to build his running loads ahead of the pre-season.

Meanwhile, ruckman Aaron Sandilands is a chance to play against Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium on Saturday having pulled up well from a gluteal strain.

Sandilands suffered the tightness early in the first term of last Sunday's heavy defeat to Adelaide.

He spent most of the second half on the bench but Weber said it was a precautionary to protect his hamstring, which he damaged back in 2014.

"At this stage he's recovered really well today, but he will be a test for this week," Weber said.    

Hayden Crozier will miss a second week with a calf issue. Tanner Smith (hamstring) and young draftee Harley Balic (wrist) are a chance to return this week after long layoffs.