Fremantle has breathed a huge sigh of relief after Harley Bennell seemingly got through his much-anticipated comeback game unscathed in Peel's convincing win over East Perth on Saturday.

In his first match at any level for 16 months after battling repeated calf issues, Bennell picked up 12 touches and booted a goal in a lively display at Leederville Oval.

The 24-year-old lined-up at full-forward at the opening bounce and was isolated inside 50 for long stretches.

He rarely ventured far beyond the arc during his roughly seven-minute bursts on the field, interspersed by rests on the bench, but seemed untroubled at any stage by his calves.

Bennell had six touches by quarter-time and peppered the goals – a one-handed pick-up in slippery conditions reminded of the class he showed in 81 games for Gold Coast.

After collecting nine touches and kicking a behind in the opening half, Bennell slotted his goal six minutes into the third quarter.

The 24-year-old won a holding free-kick in the pocket and, after opening up the angle, split the middle with a curling shot that would've brought a smile to the face of Freo coach Ross Lyon in the grandstand.

Bennell showed flashes of his trademark explosiveness in the heavy conditions and his day was done early in the final term after he completed the allotted 60 minutes playing time.

There were more good signs for Fremantle with tall forward Matt Taberner booting five-straight goals from 27 touches and taking 10 marks in the wet.

Taberner slotted a career-high six majors for Peel last round but wasn't called up by Freo for Sunday's Calrton Draught Derby.

Peel won 12.7 (79) to 7.9 (51), and the victory was largely inspired by Cam Sutcliffe's 31 touches, 10 tackles and a goal.

Big man Jonathon Griffin (45 hit-outs) was highly influential, while Josh Deluca had 22 disposals and kicked a goal. Brady Grey was held over by Freo for Sunday's Derby.