High-profile Fremantle recruit Harley Bennell is on the cusp of a return to AFL action after negotiating his way safely though Peel’s 21-point win against Perth at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

Bennell kicked two goals in the Thunder’s 11.10 (76) to 8.7 (55) victory, finishing the match with 14 possessions, four marks and 2.2.

It was the 24-year-old’s fourth game back at WAFL level following a series of calf problems that have plagued him since crossing from the Gold Coast at the end of 2015.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon said during the week he was keen to give Bennell a chance before the end of the season, next Sunday’s clash with Richmond at Domain Stadium the perfect opportunity for the talent-laden forward in the wake of Fremantle’s embarrassing 104-point loss to Sydney at the SCG.

Sandover Medallist Rory O’Brien dominated for the winners along with fellow midfielder Tommy Sheridan, ruckman Luke Strnadica and defenders Ryan Nyhuis, Taylin Duman, Traye Bennell and Aaron Naughton.

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Perth captain Clint Jones toiled hard all day for a game-high 41 disposals with support from Brant Colledge, Michael Sinclair and Josh Burke.

The Demons started brightly in windy conditions, Brent Latch and Gordon Narrier posting the first two goals of the game.

Narrier was at the end of a chain of handballs, the opportunity set up by strong tackling in the midfield.

But for two telling marks and some effective spoils from teenage centre-half-back Naughton, the Thunder could have been further behind.

Naughton, expected to be one of the first West Australians taken at this year’s national draft, has impressed in each of his four WAFL games.

Camera Icon Harley Bennell marks. Credit: The Sunday Times, Trevor Collens

Brett Milward broke the duck for Peel, snapping accurately off the ground after seemingly squandering his chance when falling over in the goal square at the 26-minute mark.

The Demons, boasting a 13-3 advantage for inside 50s, held a slender five-point lead at the first change.

Bennell bounced the ball through off his left boot for Peel’s second goal at the six-minute mark of the second term.

The Thunder extended that advantage after Cody Ninyette gave away a 50m penalty, Blair Bell slotting the goal from close range.

The match developed into an arm wrestle, Perth regaining the lead after consecutive goals to captain Clint Jones and key forward Anton Scotney.

Peel hit back after straight kicks to Tommy Sheridan and Brad Walsh, the home team trailing in the inside 50 count 28 to 19 but ahead by seven points at half time.

The Thunder outscored the Demons by three goals to one in the third quarter, turning for home with an 18-point lead.

PEEL 1.2 5.4 8.5 11.10 (76)

PERTH 2.1 4.3 5.5 8.7 (55)

GOALS –.PEEL: H Bennell, Sheridan, Bell, Milward 2; Ugle, Walsh, Strnadica. PERTH: C Jones, Narrier 2; Latch, Cary, Chester, Scotney.

BEST – PEEL: O’Brien, Sheridan, Duman, Nyhuis, T Bennell, H Bennell, Strnadica. PERTH: C Jones, Colledge, Burke, Sinclair, Henderson, Byrne.

INJURIES – PERTH: Cary (knee).

UMPIRES: B Laycock, A Martin, L Jago.

CROWD: 1300 (approx) at Bendigo Bank Stadium.