HARLEY Bennell won’t make his Fremantle debut until at least the second half of the season, according to the club’s website.

The former Gold Coast Sun has been hampered by calf problems since arriving at the Dockers, with the club unable to put a timeframe on his return until this week.

Bennell, 23, was listed as 8-10 weeks in Fremantle’s latest injury update on Tuesday, meaning he won’t be available for selection until mid-June at the earliest.

The Dockers have a bye in Round 12, but their WAFL affiliate Peel Thunder is in action against South Fremantle that weekend (June 18).

Round 18

It’s followed by two home games in a row at Subiaco Oval — a Thursday night clash against Collingwood (June 25) and a Sunday fixture against Brisbane Lions (July 5).

Ruckman Aaron Sandilands’ collapsed lung and fractured ribs have been estimated as six-week injuries.

Sandilands underwent surgery on Sunday after copping a knee to the back from West Coast opponent Nic Naitanui in Saturday night’s 33-point loss.

He is expected to be discharged from hospital in the next couple of days, according to Fremantle general manager of football Chris Bond.

“Our medical advice is that the surgery went well and that Aaron will spend a few days in hospital resting up,” Bond said on Monday.

Harley Bennell faces an extended period on the sidelines. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Jon Griffin is almost certain to take Sandilands’ spot following a dominant 11-disposal, seven-mark and 36-hit out effort for Peel at the weekend, especially with Zac Clarke (knee) two weeks away from a return.

The news was much better for David Mundy, with the first-year Fremantle captain likely to miss just one more week.

Mundy was a late withdrawal from last weekend’s Western Derby with calf soreness and coach Ross Lyon expected him to be sidelined for “a few weeks”.