Fremantle hope the best is still ahead for Harley Bennell after re-signing the injury-plagued midfielder for another AFL season.
The Dockers handed Bennell and goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne one-year contract extensions on Friday, a day after veteran David Mundy was re-signed for 2019.
Veteran ruckman Aaron Sandilands is also expected to sign a new one-year contract extension, but Michael Johnson and Danyle Pearce will retire at season’s end.
Ongoing calf issues have restricted Bennell to just two AFL games in his three seasons at Fremantle.
But there have been some more encouraging signs this year, with Bennell notching 10 WAFL games after working with a specialist ballet physiotherapist to improve his calf muscles.
Re-signing Bennell comes with risks – both on and off the field.
But Dockers chief executive Steve Rosich feels Bennell, who produced some scintillating displays for the Gold Coast Suns earlier in his career, deserves another year to prove his worth.
“Despite going through some tough periods with injury, Harley has continually kept his head up and worked extremely hard at getting back on the football field,” Rosich said.
“We’ve seen Harley play 10 games in the WAFL this season and we have every hope he can return and play his best football in a Fremantle jumper.”
Bennell thanked Ross Lyon for his ongoing support, describing the veteran coach as like a father figure.
But Lyon has warned Bennell that 2019 will be a make-or-break season for him.
Bennell feels he has made some significant progress this year with the help of the ballet physiotherapist.
Collingwood’s Ben Reid did the same thing in 2015, turning to ballet conditioning expert Paula Baird Colt to try to heal his own soft-tissue problems.
“Our physio Jeff Boyle and I sat down with the ballet teacher and we just started working more on the footwork and the muscles in my foot that contract with the calf muscles as well,” Bennell said.
“We were doing that once a week with her and it’s really helped my top-end sprints.”
Bennell is set to return from his latest calf setback in Peel Thunder’s clash with Claremont on Saturday.
Ballantyne has kicked 17 goals in 15 games this season, and his leadership is viewed as invaluable in a Fremantle outfit that is in the middle of a big rebuild.
Fremantle will be aiming to notch their ninth win of the season when they take on Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
Don Freo
Guest
Give what up? Others have started the conversation about Ballas. I just add my bit. There are two things, Mark, you could do if it offends you: 1. Don't go looking for those conversations. 2. If you stumble upon a conversation you don't like, don't read it. Even Jonboy can work out that plan of attack. Ballas has been his natural mode of address all through school, all his footy clubs...he even gets called Ballas directly by Pav in his weekly TV segment. Cringe away, oh soft one. Fancy complaining about that.
Mark
Guest
Give it up Donny boy! And please stop calling him “Ballas”. It’s absolutely cringeworthy.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
No he didn't. It was simple...the ball didn't get there. He didn't play in the midfield at all. Ballas was not the problem. The midfield handballing when they shouldn't in hail and wet, created too many fumbles. That meant the game was played almost solely forward of Geelong's centre. Our kids, couldn't stop the flood. Hawk got it on a platter. Cerra, Duman, Kersten, Nyghuis, Giro and Banfield just couldn't get back. Hamling and Ryan would have been handy while Wilson couldn't contribute because of crushed ribs. I'd say the kids just couldn't go any more. Their season has been long. Certainly, Cerra is cooked and Banfield looks ready for a rest too. The first quarter was worth enjoying with Cox and Tabs but the ball just didn't get there after that. Geelong, however was well worth watching. Chris Scott constantly gets his side up when they look gone. I'll keep enjoying the footy and look forward to next week to say, "Seeya and thanks, to Danyle Pearce, Johnno and Spurr.". You can wallow in your hot tub of sadness.
User
Roar Rookie
Played 85% of the game, had 4 possession, 2 tackles, 1point. Freo had the entire 18 in the cats fwd half or fifty the majority of the last 2.5 quarters. No room to wiggle don Ballantyne was awful today for a senior player who is expected to provide leadership.
Jonboy
Guest
Open your eyes Ballantyne spent a lot of Time in the midfielder as well. How can you keep defending a Dud.
Don Freo
Guest
Freo has just had their least number of gorward 50 entries ever. There's a reason why Ballas and McCarthy had low possessions. The ball wasn't at that end. You could put money on the fact that would be your target. You've made your analysis before the game has been played.
Don Freo
Guest
Of course you won't. Your type never do. You just lurk around, look for a snipe or two, find you are out of your depth and then change your name or disappear. Lightweight. You have just demonstrated your lack of substance.
Jon Boy
Guest
The Fremantle Football Club are a disgrace signing Ballantyne four (4) disposals and if he had any pride he should retire. .Blind Freddie can see he is finished.
RT
Roar Rookie
I'm not going to go through all articles on this website to find your valid argument. You made an argument with respect to Peel Thunder but Jon Boy made a different argument and all you can do is throw insults. Reading another screen or two and it is just more insults rather than making a case. What a joke that you would accuse anyone else of being grade 3.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Are you talking about Goddard as a player? That would be ridiculous. That was a Mitch Cleary suggestion. In the same article he said Brett Kirk came to Freo as a player. These guys are just footy fans with opinions. Michael Johnson is playing as well as Goddard. Both are finished now. Goddard could not find a spot in Freo's side. Nup. He won't be playing at Freo but I'd love his intensity and his knowledge as a coach. He might need to work on his bedside manner a bit first.
Jonboy
Guest
Totally agree Matti.
Jonboy
Guest
Wake up Don Goddard is not a Ballantyne.He is like Mundy old yes but still performing that is the difference.
Jonboy
Guest
100% agree on Strnadica..
User
Roar Rookie
Surprised wce haven't been linked to tippet yet
User
Roar Rookie
As his most successful playing period was under Lyon his ability to convey the message would be high, his hatred of losing is another valuable resource that could easily rub off on Freo young players.
Don Freo
Guest
Freo doesn't do rumours and don't leak rumours. They just come from over east or from disgruntled WA journalists. Always made up and have their origins in alcohol.
13th Man
Guest
Can't stand the bloke. Thats what we have David Mundy for anyway, setting high standards on and off the field. Do not need Goddard.
13th Man
Guest
Bad, I read a rumour about Tippett as well. I'd be seriously angry if Freo went for either of those!
13th Man
Guest
Yep fair point, i'd argue we have more need for depth in the key defender area than in the small forward area. We have Matera, Grey (who i actually rate quite highly), Giro, Crowden, Switkowski and of course if hes actually played where he should be... Walters. We don't need a 31 year old past his prime spud.
Don Freo
Guest
Which Goddard? The one who is too old for your liking or the one who is more injured than Apeness? I hope you are not advocating either. Brendan as an assitant coach would be fantastic.