Sandilands not taking Saints lightly
Ruckman Aaron Sandilands says it's vital Fremantle recover well off a six-day break if they are to avoid an upset against the bottom-placed St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Sandilands, 32, lined up for his 16th-straight game in yesterday's 76-point win over Greater Western Sydney but said his body was feeling great just one week out from their second bye of the year.
He finished his battle against Shane Mumford with 30 hit-outs, nine disposals and a goal as the Dockers won the clearances 47-31.
Sandilands' off-sider Zac Clarke also had a good day, with 23 hit-outs, six clearances and a goal.
"He's a quality ruckman and a quality opponent and it was always going to be a big battle," Sandilands said of Mumford.
"Zac's having a great year, he's taken his game to a new level and the chemistry between the two of us out on the field has been really good and we're forming a great partnership.
"It was important we got it out of the middle. GWS are a really good clearance side and we wanted to start well."
The win over the Giants made it eight straight victories and saw the Dockers climb into second spot.
The 211cm giant believed Fremantle were building momentum each week.
"We are starting to play the way we want to play and it's all about us trying to improve every week," Sandilands said.
"I thought it was a pretty good four-quarter effort."
Sandilands was part of the side in 2006 which achieved a record nine consecutive wins but denied there were any comparisons.
He said he was wary of the fact they struggled off six-day breaks earlier in the year.
"That was a long time ago and all we can focus on at the moment is the coming game against St Kilda," Sandilands said. "We have got a six-day break so it's important we get the recovery right and are ready to go in six days.
"Traditionally we haven't played all that well to start with off six-day breaks so it's important we do this week."
Sandilands also backed fellow veteran Luke McPharlin (calf) to recover from his latest soft-tissue injury.
"He will get his body right, it was just unfortunate last week that he hurt himself a little bit but I'm sure he'll come back and be ready to go," Sandilands said.
Sandilands said it would be disappointing to lose small forward Hayden Ballantyne, who booted five goals yesterday to continue his hot form but was reported for striking.
