The three-time All Australian accumulated 58 hitouts, falling just five short of the record of 63, which was set by North Melbourne’s Gary Dempsey against Hawthorn in round 16, 1982.
Sandilands said he was more concerned with helping Fremantle win the game.
“You don’t worry about that sort of stuff,” he said when told how close he’d come to the record.
“It’s all about contributing to the side and helping out your teammates.”
What did please Sandilands, and no doubt his midfield teammates, was the 20 hitouts to advantage.
“We’re starting to get some good chemistry amongst the midfield,” he said.
“When you can put it to their advantage, it does help.”
The 211cm giant is one of Freo’s six Starlight ambassadors, and he was happy to celebrate the win in the club’s annual Starlight Purple Haze Game.
While the 22 players out on the field were playing their role, those not selected for the game were doing their bit outside Patersons Stadium by rattling tins to raise money for the children’s charity.
“It’s an awesome day and it’s a privilege for the footy club to be a part of the Starlight Children’s Foundation and raise some really good funds,” he said.
“We’ve got some great supporters that get behind the cause and it’s great to see all the purple out there.
“It’s a big thank you to all our supporters, it puts a smile on the kids faces who are going through hard times.”
After the game, the ambassadors welcomed the Starlight wish children out onto the oval to celebrate with the team, and then into the change rooms to sing the song together.
Sandilands pulled a chair over for his young friend Marley Kiernan to stand on.
Marley has undergone a major operation recently and was wheelchair-bound earlier in the week. However, nothing was going to stop him from standing with his Freo heroes.
“To see Marley up and about and walking around was awesome,” Sandilands said.
“To bring him in to sing the song with the boys was a special moment for him.”
