Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands said there was still a lot to be gained from returning to AFL football this year, even with just four matches remaining in the home and away season.

Sandilands has not played since suffering fractured ribs and a collapsed lung after backing into a marking contest with West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui.

The 33-year-old said the year had been frustrating, but noted the importance of building momentum ahead of the preseason.
 
“I see it as a really important four week block, otherwise it’s going to be a very long preseason,” he said.
 
“It is important for us as a group to try and play some good footy in the last four weeks.

Sandilands ready to return

“We take on West Coast this week and for all our members and fans it’s important we put in a good performance.

“It has been a tough season and we know as a group we haven’t performed as well as we’d liked.
 
The veteran was restricted in his movement in the early stages of his recovery and took longer than expected to regain full strength.
 
But Sandilands will enter Sunday’s game lacking only match fitness.

“Having such a long period without being able to do upper-body or lower-body strength and being limited in what you can do, I think that’s why it’s taken longer than we thought,” he said.
 
“I’m back to full strength and full weight now.

Match day information v West Coast
 
“No doubt I’ll be blowing pretty hard in the first five minutes but hopefully that second wind kicks in pretty quickly.
 
The ruckman also noted the significance of playing four more matches with Matthew Pavlich, alongside whom he has lined up 229 times in his AFL career.
 
“He’s been a special player and a special part of this footy club,” he said.

“I’ll enjoy running around with him for the last four weeks.