Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said team balance and not just fitness would decide whether Aaron Sandilands was included for Saturday’s clash against Richmond at Patersons Stadium.

Sandilands has not played since round 11. He suffered his second bout of turf toe in the space of a year in that game, which was coincidentally the club’s previous meeting with the Tigers in Melbourne.

Lyon said Sandilands and Nat Fyfe (ankle) would complete full training sessions this morning in their bid to press for selection.

“Regardless of what happens today, we’ll probably name both and let it unfold and make some final decisions probably,” Lyon said.

Lyon said the club’s No.1 ruckman had been “training the house down” and flagged that he could be used more up forward.

“Certainly we’re going to train him a fair bit forward today,” Lyon said.

“He’s something unique and pretty hard to deal with, particularly with the rules with defenders, taking arms and holding. So that’s a potential opportunity for us. Jon Griffin’s been fantastic for us 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 so we’re trying to get our head around what are the opportunities if we pick Aaron.”