Sandilands was a key figure in Fremantle’s thrilling seven-point win over Geelong on Sunday, with eight possessions and 12 of his 37 hit-outs coming in a final-quarter fight-back.
For the third consecutive week the All-Australian ruckman played more than 95 per cent of the game, but he revealed a support ruckman would be included in the coming weeks to give him a spell.
“Kepler Bradley’s in pretty good form and Zac Clarke’s playing good footy as well,” Sandilands said from Fremantle Oval on Monday.
“They’re both putting their hands up for selection at the moment and they’ll force their way into the side soon.
“At certain times they’ll ask me how my body is and that sort of thing, but realistically it comes down to Harves (coach Mark Harvey) and the coaching staff and the way we line up best against St Kilda.”
Sandilands has averaged more than 36 hit-outs and 19 disposals a game in Fremantle’s stunning 3-0 start to the season and he said his body was in “pretty good nick”, despite his heavy midfield load.
Forward Michael Johnson has been pinch-hitting in the ruck, allowing Sandilands brief rests in the forward line where he has created a contest.
While Sandilands was crucial in the final quarter of Sunday’s game, captain Matthew Pavlich was inspirational with a dazzling five-goal performance.
Sandilands said it was good to see the skipper moving freely between the forward line and midfield, depending on what the side needed at the time.
“Pav was superb on the weekend,” he said. “I loved that he was able to sneak into the midfield a little bit and was able to kick a goal from about 70 metres out for us.
“He’s an amazing player and it’s an honour to play alongside him.
“He spent a lot of time in the midfield last year, but I think this year he’ll be spending a lot more time forward and then just every now and then for a 5-10 minute burst if he wants to get a few possessions come into the midfield.”
An unlikely top of the table clash looms this Sunday, with Fremantle taking on St Kilda at Etihad Stadium. Sandilands said the side had already moved on from the weekend to focus on the undefeated Saints.
“We’re coming up against one of the best sides in the comp this weekend, so everyone’s pretty determined to go over there to Melbourne and play well,” he said.
“Looking at the draw we knew the first four weeks was going to be a big challenge for us and things have fallen our way a little bit.”
While Fremantle benefited from injuries to key Cats Matthew Scarlett, Cameron Mooney and Brad Ottens on Sunday, the home side was also missing star defender Chris Tarrant, who is expected to be fit for the Saints clash.
Nick Suban is having scans on his injured left ankle on Monday, but has been cleared of what looked like a serious knee injury in the dying minutes of Sunday’s game.
