FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon has all-but conceded Harley Bennell won't be a Docker beyond this season but believes the injury-ravaged midfielder still has AFL quality football left in him.
Lyon hopes another club will take a punt on the former Sun, with the Dockers and Bennell having exhausted their avenues to fix his troublesome calves.
Bennell was on the cusp of a Fremantle comeback before going down two weeks ago with a "significant" calf tear, which has likely ended his fourth year – and career – at the Dockers after two appearances in purple.
Harley Bennell in action for Fremantle in round 22 2017. Pic: AFL Photos
"It's unlikely he'll be with us next year – I think Harley knows that – but we're going to rehab him, and we'll work through with his management, Col Young, who has really taken care of him," Lyon said.
"Hopefully, someone out there has got a solution, or a club, or a guru out there can get him right because he's a pretty special talent, because it's devastating he's lost to the game, to be honest."
The Dockers recruited Bennell at the end of 2015 hoping he could be a missing link in their push for a maiden flag.
Fremantle explored numerous avenues to get the ultra-talented onballer fit again, including sending him to Germany for specialist treatment and engaging a ballet physiotherapist.
But nothing has worked and Bennell was back undergoing rehab during a session at Cottesloe Beach on Wednesday.
Lyon, who has been one of his staunch supporters, couldn't speak highly enough of the 26-year-old's commitment to relaunch his career in the face of adversity.
"We're all devastated for him. But he's a young man, I believe he's still got AFL footy in him, if he can get his body right," Lyon said.
"Unfortunately, with us, and all the threads we haven't been able to get it right. If he can get it right, he's still a top-flight AFL (player).
"We saw what he did at half power in the WAFL, unbelievable."
Fremantle has been hit hard by injuries recently, and have lost another big man to a foot complaint after Lloyd Meek went down with a fractured fifth metatarsal in the WAFL on Saturday.
Fremantle has lost another big man to a foot complaint after Lloyd Meek went down in the WAFL. Pic: AFL Photos
Meek joins Alex Pearce (ankle) and Matt Taberner (foot) on the sidelines for the rest of the year, while Jesse Hogan (foot) and Shane Kersten (foot) are also out of action.
Lyon wanted to train at Optus Stadium before Saturday night's Western Derby, but Fremantle will continue staying away from the venue after Meek's setback.
"That just spooked us a little bit," he said.
In some positive news, Lyon declared Rory Lobb (foot) would return if he gets through training on Thursday afternoon, while 36-year-old warhorse Aaron Sandilands (calf) should also be available.
Sandilands could be called straight into the side to face Eagles star Nic Naitanui after more than a year since his last game.
Aaron Sandilands could come straight into the side for the derby this weekend. Pic: AFL Photos
"Get your hand to the ball is a nice starting point (if Sandilands comes back)," Lyon said.
"We've seen how important that is, (Max) Gawn in particular when they're really pushing around to advantage side of mids, and a super midfield that it (Melbourne) is, it's challenging.
"We've got a really strong midfield, we think it's been the backbone of our team and typically games are won and lost in there.
"We've got full availability and the only missing link … has been the hand to the ball or predictable area.
"That would be important for us, particularly against the quality we're coming up against."
