FREMANTLE ruckman Aaron Sandilands has remained in Perth with a bout of the flu and will miss Sunday's clash against Richmond at the MCG.
Sandilands did not fly with the team on Friday and football manager Chris Bond confirmed on Saturday the 30-year-old would not be available to face the Tigers.
Sandilands has been battling illness and soreness this week, and Fremantle took emergencies Jack Hannath, Matt Taberner and Jesse Crichton to Melbourne as a precaution.
It is expected Hannath, who has played nine games this season, will come into the 22 to support ruckman Zac Clarke.
Asked if there was any risk Sandilands could be sidelined beyond this week's clash, assistant coach Michael Prior said: "No, it'll just be a one-week thing".
"He's been a bit crook and sore during the week," Prior said on Saturday.
Fremantle will also be without suspended captain Matthew Pavlich on Sunday as well as injured key defender Luke McPharlin (calf) and small forward Hayden Ballantyne (hamstring).
Prior said Fremantle's depth had been crucial to its success this season and the team was confident in a ruck combination of Clarke and Hannath.
"We've had some really good players out and the guys that have come in, whether they've been experienced players or younger players, they've played their role for the team," Prior said.
"They've played their part and we've been able to get over the line.
"Tommy (Sheridan) has been in the last few weeks and we've been really pleased with what he's done.
"Cam Sutcliffe has been in and out and played a little bit as a sub. We're really confident with what he can do."
Prior labelled Richmond's midfield "one of the best in the competition" and said the game would be won and lost in the centre.
He said Fremantle was confident it could perform at the MCG and in wet conditions following its round 11 win over the Tigers last season in Melbourne.
Nathan Schmook is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @AFL_Nathan
