It has been a long and frustrating road for young Fremantle midfielder Andrew Browne, but the 22-year-old could be just weeks away from an AFL comeback.

After being picked up with pick No.52 in the 2001 National AFL draft, a spate of injuries has restricted Browne to just 18 senior games in five years at the club - including 14 in 2004 when he received Fremantle's Beacon Award as the club's best new talent.

He has not played an AFL game since round 22 in 2004, but has made a successful return to WAFL ranks this season where he has consistently gathered a plethora of possession.

Dockers coach Chris Connolly said he was thrilled Browne had finally shaken off his injury curse and predicted the talented on-baller would return to the squad before the end of the season.

"Well on the back of the last few years it's been a difficult challenge for Andrew, but he's always felt it was character-building," Connolly replied when asked about the youngster's battle with injury over the past couple of years.

"He would have driven home a bit teary at times or tears just coming down his face because the light coming at the end of the tunnel looks like an oncoming train. But the way he's bounced back has been outstanding - and he's 22 years of age.

"We believe here at Fremantle you don't play your best football until you're 24, 25. So all of a sudden a player who was probably at the crossroads physically looks like being a brand new recruit for us, and that's a big bonus.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Andrew Browne plays for Fremantle prior to the end of the season. Now that's linked in to the form of other players, it's linked into him continuing his form. But we couldn't be any more pleased with Andrew at this point in time of his career.

Connolly said Browne would travel with the squad to Adelaide ahead of the club's crucial clash with the Crows at AAMI Stadium on Sunday, but said it was unlikely he would play.

"He's obviously not a real good chance to play because of Josh (Carr) and Des (Headland) coming back into a team that's performing well, but he's in the mix," he said.

Meanwhile, defender Antoni Grover has fully recovered from his shoulder injury and will play in the WAFL reserves this weekend in the hope of regaining his spot in Fremantle's line-up before the finals.

"He's missed a fair bit of football. His training has been outstanding but he has to roll that into some match simulation and has to force his way ahead of other players who have been in good form," Connolly said.