Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has refused to detail whether alcohol was a factor in Harley Bennell's latest off-field drama, and says he hasn't banned the troubled midfielder from drinking.
And the Dockers were dealt another blow on Wednesday when they announced midfielder Harley Balic has been granted indefinite leave so he can deal with personal issues.
Bennell was fined $10,000 and ordered to undergo counselling following his bizarre behaviour while watching a WAFL game last Saturday.
The 24-year-old twice interrupted the three-quarter time huddle of the match between Peel Thunder and Swan Districts to speak to his cousin Traye Bennell.
Half of the $10,000 fine has been suspended for 12 months.
Last month, Bennell was kicked off a Gold Coast-bound flight before it departed because he was intoxicated.
Bennell's seven-year AFL career has been blighted by a series of off-field misdemeanours.
The most serious of the lot came in 2015 when he was linked to drug use after photos emerged of him with lines of white powder.
The photos were taken in 2013.
Lyon was asked several times on Wednesday whether alcohol was a factor in Bennell's behaviour at the WAFL game, but he deflected the question each time.
"I think it's a moot point, because we've dealt with it and moved on," Lyon said.
"Clearly there was some behaviour there that we didn't view as appropriate, but that's between Harley and ourselves.
"Everyone can make their own assertions from what they saw.
"Really simply, I feel like I've answered your question.
"We've challenged the behaviour, we've sanctioned Harley, and we've mapped out a way forward. And that's all the detail you really need."
When asked whether he had now placed an alcohol ban on Bennell, Lyon replied: "I never ban or fine people. Never."
Lyon said it was up to Bennell to win back respect at the club.
And he said it would be a terrible shame if Bennell was lost to the game.
"We're all under a lot of scrutiny, but everyone's got a breaking point," Lyon said.
"Sometimes the scrutiny becomes too much. So I think we all need to respect that."
Bennell has been grounded by serious calf issues throughout his time at the Dockers.
He is yet to play a senior match for the club, but Lyon is hopeful Bennell will be able to return to WAFL duties in about five weeks.
"He'll be running every second day," Lyon said.
Balic, who was taken with pick No.38 in the 2015 national draft, made his debut in round three this year, and went on to play four games.
The 20-year-old missed last week's win over Richmond with what the club listed as an illness, and the Dockers didn't elaborate on what personal problems Balic is dealing with.
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