Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands is in doubt for Sunday’s AFL match against Richmond at the MCG, with soreness and a bout of the sniffles grounding the 211cm veteran in Perth.
Sandilands, who missed the first 14 rounds of the season after undergoing hamstring surgery, failed to join his teammates on the flight to Melbourne on Friday, but remains a chance to fly over on Saturday.
All three emergencies – Matt Taberner, Jesse Crichton and Jack Hannath – travelled with the side.
Should Sandilands be ruled out, it would be a massive blow to Fremantle, who are already without suspended skipper Matthew Pavlich, goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne (hamstring) and All-Australian defender Luke McPharlin (calf).
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said Sandilands would be given every chance to prove his fitness.
“We’ll give him another night at home. He’s been a bit off,” Lyon said on Friday.
“Cold winter, bit of a sniffle, bit sore. We’ll monitor him and we’re really hopeful and optimistic, but we’re prepared if he doesn’t play.”
Sandilands produced a solid performance in last week’s derby triumph over West Coast, tallying 32 hit-outs and 10 possessions in his second game of the year.
Emerging ruckman Hannath, who played nine games earlier this season, is likely to earn a late recall should Sandilands fail to play.
Fremantle sit just percentage adrift of fourth spot, and are well placed to overhaul either fourth-placed Sydney or third-placed Essendon by the end of the season due to their soft draw.
But the Dockers face a tough ask against sixth-placed Richmond, who have been one of the big improvers this season and are also eyeing off a top-four berth.
The game will be Fremantle’s first at the MCG this year, but Lyon said the venue wouldn’t faze his team.
“The ground certainly brings no fears,” Lyon said.
“They will bounce the ball; there will a bit of grass; a few sticks.
“We’ll let the players get to work and see who comes out on top.”
Richmond welcomed back Bachar Houli from injury, with forward Aaron Edwards forced to make way.
The Dockers recalled Lachie Neale and Paul Duffield.