The Fremantle Dockers today confirmed that ruckman Aaron Sandilands will miss Saturday’s clash with Port Adelaide at Patersons Stadium.

Sandilands injured his cheekbone in a marking contest in the first quarter of Sunday’s 95-point win over Melbourne at the MCG and was subbed off.

General manager of football operations Chris Bond said that although Sandilands’ injury would require surgery, he was hopeful that he would be available to play in round 23.

“Aaron will have surgery and be assessed after that but we are upbeat about the prospect of his availability against St Kilda in what is our last home and away game before the finals,” Bond said.

Bond said that the shoulder injury suffered by forward Hayden Ballantyne in the dying minutes of the same game was not serious.

“Hayden had scans today, which confirmed that he had strained his right shoulder capsule,” Bond said.

“He will be monitored over the next few days and we will be better placed to assess his availability later in the week. We will take a conservative approach and even if he were to miss Saturday’s game we would be hopeful he’ll be available for the St Kilda game.”