Sandilands, who skipped training on Monday morning, received a heavy knock to his knee in a ruck duel with Hawk Wayde Skipper in Saturday’s impressive 30-point win.
Scans on Sunday morning cleared the influential big man of serious damage, but doubts still hover over his ability to play in the ruck for an entire game after being resigned to a deep forward role on Saturday.
Captain Matthew Pavlich said the club was expecting to have the dual All Australian fully fit and playing in the ruck at the MCG on Friday night.
“We’re not preparing to have anything but Aaron Sandilands 100 per cent fit for the weekend,” Pavlich said from Fremantle Oval on Monday.
“He’s been getting around-the-clock physio basically since the incident occurred. We’re very confident that he’ll be able to get up and play.
“He certainly showed a lot of grit and determination to get through the game with his injury. I think that’s evidence enough to suggest that he’ll be right.”
Fremantle also faces a tough decision on midfield veteran Paul Hasleby, who was dropped on the eve of the club’s finals campaign.
The retiring Fremantle favourite remains hopeful of playing again, but Pavlich said there was no room for sentiment in the match committee’s looming decision.
“I want to be a part of the team that goes out on the weekend with the best opportunity to win the game of football,” Pavlich said.
“Sentiment in these types of games doesn’t necessarily take the forefront. It’s about making sure that we have the best side out there on the night.
“He’s going to be up against it obviously given the team played so well and the guys in those positions did a good job.
“He’ll train as hard as he ever will to make sure he puts his name up at selection.”
Key midfielder David Mundy was one of Fremantle’s best on Saturday with 25 possessions and six clearances, and Fremantle fans pleaded with the 25-year-old to stay at the club next season at Monday morning’s training session.
Mundy has been linked with a return to Melbourne or a lucrative move to new franchise Gold Coast in the off-season.
“I’d love to see him play here [next season],” Pavlich said. “He’s been in our leadership group for 12 months now and is someone who we really model some behaviours on.
“He’s certainly a wanted player. His inside work and contested football has been hugely valued at our club this year and he’s certainly taken his game to another level.”
On his own contract, Pavlich refused to give anything away.
“Really comfortable with where it’s at,” he said of his ongoing negotiations with the club. “The club and I are very, very satisfied with where it’s at and it will be resolved soon.”
