Despite spending over a year on the sidelines, Harley Bennell is continuing to show a positive attitude towards his recovery process, according to Fremantle assistant coach Mark Stone.

Bennell, who kicked 92 goals in 81 games for the Gold Coast Suns, is yet to play a game for Fremantle since arriving in the 2015 off-season.

With the talented midfielder targeting a return in 2017, Stone said the coaching group couldn’t ask for more from Bennell on the training track.

“He’s tracking really well and ticking each session off and taking it as it comes,” Stone said.

“His attitude towards his rehab and his training is first class.”

Bennell has been training separate from the main group throughout this pre-season, and Stone says the club isn’t going to rush Bennell through this important phase.

“He’s still on a modified program, which he will be for a little bit longer,” Stone said.

“The strength and conditioning guys will set that (target) for him. All we can really judge as coaches is how he approaches it, and his approach has been outstanding.”

In the rehabilitation group, Bennell has been working mainly on running and ball skills, and Stone empathised with the 24-year-old for having to train separate from his teammates for such a sustained period.

“Human nature would suggest that it’s been challenging, and that’s why we judge him on how he’s approached it,” Stone said. 

“For any player, not just for Harley, it would be tough to be in a rehab program for so long.

“But his attitude has been first class, and we can’t fault him there.

“As long as he continues that, he will end up playing where we target him to play.”

Fremantle v Collingwood AFL & AFLW Double Header
Saturday 4 March - Rushton Park, Mandurah
AFL Women's: 10.35am
AFL Men's: 1.40pm
Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com.au