It has been more than a decade since Aaron Sandilands has played every game in a season, with particularly low outputs over the past three due to injuries, amassing a meagre 26 games in that timeframe. A couple of calf setbacks hampered the big man most recently. Of course, Sandilands dominated the hitouts when on the park at a rate of 40 per game, but his work around the ground isn’t anywhere near it was in his prime. Sandilands’ stoppage work is invaluable so while he’s still fit, he'll play. Sean Darcy is gunning for 211's throne, and the old man may be one injury away from the end. Sandilands is no longer in the top echelon of ruckmen even when fit, and the higher baseline for rucks means he isn't worth starting even if he does play out a full season. Only use a pick late for bench cover, if at all.
211 reasons not to pick him
It has been more than a decade since Aaron Sandilands has played every game in a season, with particularly low outputs over the past three due to injuries, amassing a meagre 26 games in that timeframe. A couple of calf setbacks hampered the big man most recently. Of course, Sandilands dominated the hitouts when on the park at a rate of 40 per game, but his work around the ground isn’t anywhere near it was in his prime. Sandilands’ stoppage work is invaluable so while he’s still fit, he'll play. Sean Darcy is gunning for 211's throne, and the old man may be one injury away from the end. Sandilands is no longer in the top echelon of ruckmen even when fit, and the higher baseline for rucks means he isn't worth starting even if he does play out a full season. Only use a pick late for bench cover, if at all.
Sandilands in quicksand
The removal of the third man up rule last year didn't affect Aaron Sandilands all that much, as he was too tall for them to bother him anyway. He went at much the same rates as in his last full season in 2015, presenting less for marks and registering a single behind on the scoreboard for the season. Then a hamstring injury meant he appeared only once after round 9, in which he tore it again in round 15. In his absence Sean Darcy showed he was more than ready to take lead ruck duties, which begs the question of why Sandilands didn't tear up the contract he resigned last June and head for greener pastures. His mobility around the ground was never great and is now a negative on his play. If the Dockers play him without Darcy, he is a low-end starter but his poor job security and health outlook make him barely draftable.
