THE AFL career of electrifying Fremantle small forward Michael Walters had "almost flat-lined" when he was banished from the club after returning to pre-season training overweight, coach Ross Lyon says.

Forced to train with WAFL team Swan Districts until he could meet Fremantle's conditioning expectations, Walters finally forced his way back in the Fremantle team for Saturday's game against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

It was his first AFL game since round three last season - and just the 12th of his four-year career - but Walters looked totally at home, kicking 3.1 and playing a part in a number of other goals in Freo's 34-point win.

With Walters working alongside fellow small forward Hayden Ballantyne, Freo's forward line looked dangerously quick and more potent than usual by foot. 

Although pleased his prodigiously talented forward had been able to fight his way back from his pre-season wake-up call, Lyon pulled no punches about how close Walters had come to the AFL scrapheap.

"It is great because his football life … was almost flatlining wasn't it?" Lyon said.

"We got him off life support and away he goes."

Lyon agreed that Walters' presence on the forward line would help take pressure off Ballantyne by spreading the crumbing load and giving opposition teams another goalsneak to worry about.

Like Walters, Ballantyne was one of Freo's best performers against the Demons, kicking 2.2 and setting up three other scores.

Ballantyne told AFL.com.au after the game Walters' attitude following his club ban had been exemplary.

"He wasn't living our values so he got sent back to the WAFL to train and he pulled the finger out and just got the job done," Ballantyne said.

"He was filthy on himself. But that's the good thing - he knew he was to blame and he got to work and he's back playing now so that's a credit to him.

"He's been unreal, to get back and play today and to kick three goals. I hope he keeps playing well."

Ballantyne agreed with Lyon that playing alongside Walters made his life easier.

"It's good having 'Son Son' (Walters) down there, having another small forward down there to run amok with, it makes it a lot easier to get away from our opponents by blocking for each other," Ballantyne said.

But Lyon made it clear the hard work had only just started for Walters.

Emphasising the decision to suspend Walters had been driven by Freo's playing group, Lyon said Walters had to continue to live up to the club's high standards to keep his spot in the team.

"It's about hard work and preparation and act your way in and act your way out [of the team]," Lyon said.

"So he clearly acted his way out … and as a collective the leadership and coaches and other players had the hard conversation and said, 'Mate, here's the solution for you: go away and do the hard work and we'll support you'.

"And to his credit he got into action and he created an opportunity for himself. But from here he's got to continue what he's done."

Nick Bowen is a reporter with AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: AFL_Nick