HARLEY Bennell will finally make his Fremantle debut against Richmond this Sunday in the Dockers' last-ever game at Domain Stadium.

Coach Ross Lyon has confirmed the former Gold Coast star will be picked to face the Tigers after playing four consecutive games in the WAFL.

It will be the 24-year-old's first AFL appearance since round 22, 2015 after battling repeated calf issues which threatened his career.

"We could hold him back another week but it's marginal difference, so I think on balance with his family here, his support network, without travel, it's just another step in his progression to returning to be a top-flight AFL mid – which is what he is," Lyon said.

"He's overcome some significant challenges in rehab over a long period of time and it talks volumes to his character of hard work and resilience.

"Clearly he had some moments where he wobbled and was devastated, but it's a real step forward.

"We're aiming for it to be a longer journey than just this.

"There will be a bit of hype about it, but we don't expect miracles. But he certainly brings some quality into the team."

Bennell booted 2.2 from 14 disposals for Peel last Saturday and will play predominantly in attack on managed game time against Richmond.

Lyon was yet to inform Bennell he was in the team when he addressed media at his Wednesday morning press conference.

"There will be some anxiousness that comes with it because there's a performance expectation every time you play an AFL game," Lyon said.



"He'll be internally thrilled. He'll regulate himself pretty well, he tends to do that pretty well.

"Performance should be able to be solid. He could surprise on the upside, or the downside obviously.

"He's got real belief in himself and he doesn't need too much room or too many possessions to be dangerous on the scoreboard."

The Dockers could make several changes to the side which was thumped by Sydney by 104 points.

Hayden Crozier is available after concussion while Lachie Neale is set to miss at least the Richmond clash due to sore groins he's battled all season.

The reigning Doig medallist is aiming to return against Essendon in round 23 before undergoing more post-season surgery.

Neale needed operations on his knee, wrist and shoulder after last year, and Lyon praised the ball magnet's ability to perform at a high level this season coming off a limited pre-season.

The coach expected former skipper David Mundy, who has had limited impact in recent weeks, to face the Tigers but declared veteran defender Zac Dawson wouldn't be given a farewell game.

Dawson, who played in four Grand Finals under Lyon at St Kilda and Freo, was dropped after the Dockers' round two belting from Port Adelaide and hasn’t been called up since.

"He's displaying his character at Peel. He's leading really well and being a big influencer down there, so he's really comfortable," Lyon said.

"He said 'I don't need to validate my career with a farewell game or jump in a car and go around the MCG', he goes 'it doesn't interest me, that's not how I measure myself'.

"And we'd prefer to give Sam Collins an opportunity. Clearly Zac won't be here next year so we don't need to chew up an opportunity for the sake of it."

Harley Bennell career timeline

2010: Becomes the second player picked by Gold Coast – behind overall No.1 selection David Swallow – at the NAB AFL Draft ahead of the club's inaugural season.

2011: Bennell plays 14 games and kicks 14 goals in his debut season but is dropped after his second game for disciplinary reasons.

2012: Plays every game, highlighted by a 37-possesion and three-goal game against Fremantle in round six, and a 38-disposal, four-goal effort against Melbourne in round 19.

2013 and '14: Hamstring and calf problems surface and Bennell is restricted to 15 games in each season. Boots 6.3 and has 27 touches in a victory over Geelong in round 14, 2014.

May 2015: Was dropped alongside Trent McKenzie and Brandon Matera for breaching team standards and drinking alcohol after a QClash win over the Lions.

July 2015: Photographs taken in 2013 emerge of Bennell with a white powder, alleged to be illicit drugs.

September 2015: The Suns put Bennell up for trade after he was involved in an incident with a nightclub bouncer at Surfers Paradise.

October 2015: Bennell is traded to Fremantle and signs a three-year deal. The Dockers received the troubled star and pick 22 in exchange for selections 16 and 35.

2016: Stars with four goals for Peel in round one of the WAFL season but tears his calf. Fails to make it back for the rest of the season after a string of setbacks.

November 2016: Hurts his "good" left calf at training and is sent to Germany for specialist treatment.

April 2017: Dockers reveal Bennell's latest calf strain is worse than first thought and rule him out for two months. He is granted club leave but runs into trouble when he is asked to leave a flight to Gold Coast for being intoxicated.

May 2017: Is fined $10,000 – half suspended – by the Dockers and ordered to undergo counselling after bizarre behaviour while attending a Peel game.

July 2017: Makes long-awaited return to football for the Thunder, booting a goal from 12 touches, in his first game for 16 months.