Midfielder Harley Bennell has been ruled out of playing for Peel in the WAFL finals series after the 18 Fremantle players eligible to play for the Thunder were assessed yesterday by the club’s medical and strength and conditioning staff.
Defender Luke Ryan and forward Brennan Cox will also miss Saturday’s qualifying final against South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval due to groin soreness but both will be available to play for the remainder of the finals series.
Full list of Freo players eligible to play for Peel in the WAFL finals series
General manager of football operations Chris Bond said the decision to rest Bennell was based on advice from the club’s medical and fitness staff and was in the 24-year-old’s best long-term playing interests.
Bennell played four games for Peel and the last two games of Fremantle’s home and away season following a lengthy layoff with multiple calf injuries.
“It was a successful return to playing and we certainly saw signs during those six games of what Harley is capable of delivering next year for the club,” Bond said.
“We have 18 players qualified to play for Peel in the WAFL finals and they were all assessed by our medical and fitness staff yesterday.
“Following that process, our medicos and fitness staff advised that it was in Harley’s long-term playing interests to be rested now, which will also give him the best lead-in to day one of our 2018 season.
“We believe that a rest now followed by an uninterrupted pre-season, Harley will be right to go for round one of the 2018 season.
