Although he hardly played during the pre-season, Fremantle hope the mere presence of 211cm ruckman Aaron Sandilands will give them a vital boost in Saturday night’s AFL clash with Geelong in Perth.
Sandilands featured in just one round of the pre-season competition before being struck down by a calf complaint.
The three-times All-Australian has ramped up his fitness on the training track in recent weeks and is expected to carry a significant ruck load against the Cats, who will rely on 29-year-old debutant Orren Stephenson and 20-gamer Trent West for the tap duties.
Although Sandilands will be short on match fitness, Fremantle stoppages coach Mark Stone said the ruckman’s presence would help lift the Dockers’ injury-hit midfield, which will be missing stars David Mundy and Anthony Morabito.
“Aaron gives the other midfielders a lot of confidence when he’s playing because he’s big and has such a presence around the ground,” Stone told the club’s website.
“When Aaron plays, they all walk a bit taller.
“It’s not just his ruck work at stoppages, it’s also his influence around the ground in general play and his marking.”
The Cats selected 17 of last year’s 22-man premiership team for their season opener.
Ruckman Brad Ottens and Cameron Ling retired at the end of last season, while Josh Hunt, David Wojcinski and Travis Varcoe are out injured.
The key outs have paved the way for defender Billy Smedts to make his debut after his 2011 campaign was ruined by a serious hip injury.
Fremantle selected rookie Clancee Pearce after elevating him onto their senior list, but former Collingwood forward Jack Anthony was ruled out with a calf injury.
Dockers midfielder Michael Barlow (leg) failed to play a game during the pre-season competition but has been selected on the back of his strong training performances.
“His kilometres he’s putting in each week – we’re really confident the preparation he’s done has put him in really good stead to play AFL footy straight up,” Stone said of Barlow.
Fremantle have put a focus on converting opportunities after their wayward goalkicking cost them the chance of victory against Geelong last year.
The Dockers booted a wayward 10.18 in their 11-point loss to the Cats in round two, but will be banking on a better return on Saturday night with skipper Matthew Pavlich set to be stationed up forward.
The match will also mark Ross Lyon’s first official game in charge of the Dockers since making the switch from St Kilda at the end of last year.
