THE RETURN of star ruckman Aaron Sandilands is a chance for Fremantle to stretch opposition backlines, according to coach Ross Lyon, with the influential big man likely to spend significant time forward against Richmond on Saturday.
Sandilands and young star Nat Fyfe are both expected to be named to face the Tigers at Patersons Stadium before a final decision is made on their availability.
Lyon was confident both would play, with sharpshooter Chris Mayne also available after being cleared of concussion and key defender Luke McPharlin set to return from suspension.
He said Fremantle had some important decisions to make around team balance if Sandilands plays alongside ruckman Jon Griffin, who has been in strong form.
"We're going to train him forward today," Lyon said of Sandilands, who hasn't played since suffering a toe injury against Richmond in round 11.
"He's something unique and pretty hard to deal with, particularly with the rules with defenders taking arms and holding. That's a potential opportunity for us.
"Jon Griffin has been fantastic in the ruck with help from Kepler Bradley and Zac Clarke when he's played.
"It's been a pretty good model for us and we're trying to get our head around what are the opportunities if [Sandilands] plays. It's maybe another dimension up forward."
There have been suggestions that Fremantle's midfield is less predictable without Sandilands and performing better as a result, but Lyon praised the three-time All Australian who had "helped drag this club from the lower reaches of the ladder".
He said the 2009 club champion would be returning to a midfield that is in better shape than when he last played earlier this season.
"David Mundy has trained on and Michael Barlow's trained on. Then with Fyfe back in, that was really important," Lyon said.
"On the weekend we weren't at our best in there. The first half was really good, we started to show signs in the third, but the fourth quarter the weight of numbers of the Adelaide midfield sort of got on top.
"Richmond have got a lot of high calibre running players, so we're going to need our midfield to be at its best."
Lyon said he wouldn't let run-with specialist Ryan Crowley know who his opponent on Saturday would be until the last minute, with Trent Cotchin and Brett Deledio the leading options.
Cotchin was brilliant in the Tigers' 70-point win over the Western Bulldogs, finishing with 35 possessions (14 contested), seven clearances and three goals.
Crowley, however, has a strong recent record against Deledio, holding the hard-running Tiger to 15 disposals in round 11 at the MCG.
"Is it (Dustin) Martin, Deledio or Cotchin? Then there's a bit of (Shaun) Grigg and (Shane) Tuck," Lyon said.
"I just tend to leave it to the last minute before Ryan knows who he's getting.
"They're going to be a handful and they're coming over determined to win.
"They've already put it on that they want to derail us, and we've heard that a number of times over the last few weeks.
"We'll be ready and prepared."
More stories:
Sandilands and Fyfe likely to be selected
Fyfe backs Crowley to tame a Tiger
Nat Fyfe media conference
Nathan Schmook covers Fremantle news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan
