Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has described Matt Taberner as an "aerobic animal", and he hopes the forward's return will help nullify the influence of Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass in Sunday's western derby.
Taberner was in hot form earlier this season before before breaking his foot in round five.
The 25-year-old booted three goals in the WAFL last Saturday in his first match back, and he'll make his AFL return in this week's derby.
Fremantle's forward line has struggled in the absence of Taberner.
In the 13 games since Taberner got injured, Fremantle have scored more than 71 points on just four occasions.
McGovern snared 10 marks in West Coast's eight-point win over Fremantle in round six, and again looms as a key danger for the Dockers.
Barrass and Shannon Hurn will also be licking their lips if Fremantle's forward-50m entries aren't sharp.
Lyon hopes the inclusion of Taberner will at least ensure that West Coast's intercept defenders won't have it all their own way.
"McGovern and Barrass are really strong in the air with those intercept marks, so it would be nice to bring those to ground, and hopefully Matt can help with that," Lyon said.
"He's an aerobic animal. From when he first walked through the door, he's been a big man who can really run."
West Coast have won the past six derbies, but Lyon isn't fussed by the record.
The return of Luke Shuey will be a big boost for a West Coast engine room that copped a pounding at the hands of North Melbourne last week.
Fremantle could send tagger Bailey Banfield to Shuey, while Lyon also highlighted the importance of Andrew Gaff.
"He's a superstar," Lyon said of Gaff.
"I got close to him at International Rules. He's so humble.
"I remember from '12 to now, he's really toughened up. He's a hard ball-winner, he can go inside, he's almost the complete mid, really.
"He's a pretty special player for their club.
"That's what we need (Adam) Cerra to become, and (Andrew) Brayshaw to become and what (David) Mundy is for us."
Lyon said running machines Ed Langdon and Tommy Sheridan loomed as ideal match-ups for Gaff.
"Because if you're going to go with him, you want to bring 17 kilometres in your back pocket," Lyon said.
Meanwhile, Lyon said scans showed that Bennell's latest calf injury was only minor, and the former Sun could be playing again next week.
"It was less than a grade one. It was a half centimetre fascial strain. It's lucky to be graded," Lyon said.
