Free agent recruit Harley Bennell made his first appearance as a Fremantle Docker against Geelong, but his impressive performance wasn’t a surprised for one of his forward line confidantes.

Michael Walters spent much of the day sharing the forward line with Bennell, and the Freo first gamer brought a welcome set of skills according to Walters.

Harley Bennell post-match

“It was really good having him out there, he’s a hard worker and obviously a very good player,” Walters said.

“His foot skills are unreal and his running power is unbelievable as well.”

Bennell’s smooth ball skills and aerobic capacity are well renowned within the AFL, but it’s his physical frame that has Walters excited about things to come. 

“He’s a big guy and it’s always good to have someone strong down there in the forward line with us,” he said.

Bennell’s foot skills were on display when he calmly slotted his first goal for the club from 35 metres out, and he showed off his size and strength in the third quarter as he rose to comprehensively mark over the top of Geelong powerhouse Tom Hawkins.