Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says the Dockers have exhausted all avenues in their bid to resolve Harley Bennell’s calf issues, but he hopes another AFL club will throw him a lifeline.
Lyon says the Dockers are almost certain to delist Bennell at the end of the season after the former Suns ace suffered another serious calf injury.
Bennell has played just two AFL games over four seasons at the Dockers, but showed in his recent WAFL return that he still has the potential to be a star if he can overcome his injury woes.
Lyon hopes another AFL club will take a punt on the classy midfielder.
“We’re all devastated for him. 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.
“It’s unlikely he’ll be with us next year. I think Harley knows that. But we’ll rehab him.
“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. It’s devastating that he’s lost to the game to be honest.”
Meanwhile, Fremantle decided against training at Optus Stadium this week after another of their players went down with a foot injury.
Fringe ruckman Lloyd Meek will miss the rest of the season after fracturing his foot while playing in the WAFL.
Matt Taberner, Alex Pearce, Rory Lobb, and Jesse Hogan have all suffered foot or ankle injuries this season, with fears the Optus Stadium turf is too hard.
West Coast have also expressed concerns about the hardness of the turf.
“We’re trying to control the variables and Lloyd Meek for us has gone down with a fifth metatarsal fracture,” Lyon said.
“So another big guy. There’s lots of threads that we’re going to really drive into. So it’s concerning. We’re really cautious so we’ll stay away.
“I was keen to get back to be honest and then that just spooked us a little bit. In saying that, Lloyd hasn’t been here that much.
“We’d love to get on and train here. But the reality is it is a harder surface that you’d like.”