RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has declared his admiration for Harley Bennell, confirming the Tigers’ pursuit of the troubled star two years ago before he signed with Fremantle.

Bennell will make his AFL comeback against Richmond in the Dockers’ historic final match at Domain Stadium today, 722 days after his last appearance for Gold Coast in the corresponding round in 2015.

Bennell is understood to have toured the Tigers’ facilities and met with star players Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin in September 2015, when looking for a new home after being forced out by the Suns following a series of off-field indiscretions.

Ross Lyon played a key role wooing Bennell and the gifted 24-year-old has credited the Fremantle coach’s ongoing faith in him as he emerges from a dark two years ruined by repeated calf injuries.

“We would have loved to have had him back at Richmond, we sort of courted him there for a while, but he chose Fremantle over us,” Hardwick said yesterday.

“He’s an incredible player. He hasn’t played footy for a long period of time, but it’s those sort of guys you come to the footy to watch. We’re just hoping he doesn’t put on a show for us this week.”

Sydney’s victory on Friday night has ramped up the pressure on the Tigers, who will need to defeat the Dockers today and St Kilda next Sunday to guarantee a top-four finish.

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Firebrand Hayden Ballantyne will play his 150th game and appears assured of a one-year extension into a 10th AFL season, having received strong endorsements from Lyon.

“We love his passion and his desire and if you’re playing good football you just continue on,” Lyon said.

“He’s been fantastic for this club and West Australian footy, hasn’t he. He’s much loved or much hated. If you just sit in the middle, you’re not achieving much. It’s good to take people to the extremes. It’s better than standing for nothing.”

The Dockers will mark their farewell to Subiaco Oval with initiatives including having club legend Matthew Pavlich toss the coin. Pavlich holds the record for the most AFL games played at the venue with 195.

An ultra high-resolution 360-degree photo of the stadium and crowd will be taken at half-time and fans will be able to complete a lap of the ground post-match. There will also be kick-to-kick and a DJ to play for 30 minutes after the game.

Fremantle recorded their lowest home crowd of the season against Gold Coast in round 20 when only 27,050 fans showed up.

A better turnout is expected today, with a special ticket offer to boost the crowd. Kids tickets are $5 with up to four junior tickets able to be purchased with every adult ticket. Juniors under six are free.