Troubled Fremantle midfielder Harley Bennell could be a โfuture Brownlow Medalistโ according to teammate Joel Hamling.
Hamling believes Bennell must overcome ongoing calf problems and off-field injuries to reclaim his status as one of the gameโs elite players.
Benell returned to the Dockers' headquarters on Tuesday after serving his eight-week club-imposed suspension following a nightclub incident in January.
It is unclear when he will be available to play again after another calf setback but is expected to return through the Dockers' WAFL affiliate Peel Thunder.
Hamling declared the 25-year-old had guidelines to meet before he wins back his teammateโs trust.
The recruitment of Bennell in 2016 has been a failure thus far after just two senior games but Hamling backed the former Sun to recapture his best form with his career on the line.
"Harley Bennell at his finest is a star of the game. He's probably a future Brownlow medallist, I would've thought," Hamling said.
"When he's fit and firing he's a star.
"(He has to) just put his head down and work hard, obviously he's got guidelines he has to meet to get our respect back.
"It's going to be hard for him, but he's a strong individual and he's a good character as well so he'll work through it."
Hamling said his teammates had full support of Bennell and urged everyone to remember how young he is.
Harley's only young, he's only 25," Hamling said.
"You've got to grow up really quick in the AFL. He's still learning how to live a normal life, especially in the AFL you get scrutinised a lot.
"For Harley to come back to the club this week and get his life back on the track and the guys who support him the most, it's going to be good for him."
A premiership player for the Western Bulldogs in 2016, Hamling slotted seamlessly into the clubโs back six last year and finished sixth in Fremantleโs best and fairest.
He faced an interrupted pre-season with groin soreness but declared he is ready to go for round one.
"It's all good now, I've had a pretty solid pre-season," Hamling added.
"I've done six pre-seasons now โฆ so I'm pretty confident in my body and my ability, so it's not going to hinder me at all."
