Sandilands set to shine
After a difficult season, Aaron Sandilands says he is back to his best at the most crucial time of the year
FREMANTLE ruckman Aaron Sandilands says the foot injuries that have hampered him for the past three seasons are behind him and he enters Saturday night's elimination final against Geelong ready to perform at his devastating best.
Sandilands has returned from a two-month toe injury in brilliant touch, averaging more than 38 hit-outs and playing a key role in wins over Richmond, North Melbourne and Melbourne.
The three-time All Australian has missed 10 games this season, but he said that could be a positive heading into a cut-throat final against the reigning premiers at the MCG.
"I've got a couple of plates in my boots that are going to stay there for good now, but other than that the feet are really good and I don't even think about it now," Sandilands said on Wednesday.
"I'm 100 per cent now with the feet, so touch wood nothing happens to them. I'm really confident in the way they're going.
"Having the 10 weeks off, you don't get that [wear and tear] as much and it's been good I've been able to get three games under my belt before this weekend.
"I'm feeling pretty fit and healthy at the moment ... the body's feeling really good."
When Fremantle last made the finals in 2010, Sandilands battled under significant duress.
He missed three games late in the season with plantar fasciitis and was restricted by a knee complaint in the club's 69-point semi-final loss to Geelong.
Last season he missed nine games because of the turf toe injury that again sidelined him in 2012.
In better physical shape than he has been in for some time, the 211cm ruckman could also enter Saturday night's match with a genuine ruck partner after sharing duties with Jon Griffin against Melbourne.
"It was great to play with 'Griff' again on the weekend and I thought we played pretty well together," Sandilands said.
"It was good that we both did kick a couple on the weekend and play a role for the side.
"If we're both in the same side together, we've definitely got to be able to play up forward and both have an impact up there."
Sandilands said Geelong was the form side of the competition at the moment and Fremantle "respect them very highly".
With eight wins from its last nine games, however, he said Fremantle's form in the second half of the year put it in a strong position to compete.
The impact of clearance players David Mundy, Michael Barlow and Nat Fyfe shapes as a key against the Cats' experienced, hard-bodied midfielders.
"Those guys have been in great form the second half of the year and have done a really good job for us," Sandilands said. "They're just playing consistent footy.
"Centre clearances are crucial and those guys are doing the job in there to get the ball inside 50 and lock it in there.
"Guys have got a great understanding of the game plan and we've just got to go out on the weekend and implement that."
Nathan Schmook covers Fremantle news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan