RETIRED giant Aaron Sandilands will continue his working relationship with Fremantle after accepting a dual coaching role with the club.
After hanging up his size 18 boots this year and then reportedly having a brief flirtation with the idea of making a comeback with Essendon, Sandilands has returned to Freo as a part-time ruck coach of both the club's men's and women's teams.
The Dockers dual club champion, who amassed a League record 8502 hitouts in his 271 AFL games, was delighted by the prospect of helping his beloved club.
The player who stands to benefit most from Sandilands' appointment is developing big man Sean Darcy, who is poised to become Freo's No.1 ruckman at just 21 and with only 26 games of AFL experience.
Sandilands will also work with the likes of forward/ruckman Rory Lobb and untried 21-year-old Lloyd Meek.
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"I've been in the system for a fair amount of time now, so I feel like I've got a bit of knowledge that I can pass on," Sandilands said.
"I already know that Sean absorbs as much as he can and it's going to be a big learning role for me as well.
"I've built the relationships with the players as a player – no doubt that won't change with me changing roles.
I'm just really excited to be back around the footy club and around the talent that we've got in the ruck divisions – that makes my job pretty easy. - Aaron Sandilands
Fremantle football chief Peter Bell was pleased to retain Sandilands' services.
"Aaron's record as a ruckman speaks for itself. On top of his outstanding work on the field, no one at Fremantle has won more best clubman awards, so it's fantastic to have someone of his character back at Fremantle," Bell said.
"I know that Sean and Lloyd have benefited greatly from Aaron’s guidance as a teammate and that will now continue with Aaron as their ruck coach.
"We also have two new exciting ruck prospects in our AFLW system in Mim Strom and Aine Tighe, and I couldn't think of anyone better suited to guide them through their first AFLW season."
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Sandilands, who will turn 37 in December, announced his retirement as a player in August but reportedly considered interested from the Bombers, baulking at a one-year contract when he wanted a two-year deal.
The Dockers have also signed West Coast premiership player Mark LeCras as a part-time specialist forwards coach.
LeCras, who kicked 441 goals in 219 games for the Eagles, retiring after the club's 2018 triumph, reunites with Freo's new coach Justin Longmuir, formerly his forwards coach at West Coast.
