Fremantle’s Aaron Sandilands will play on next season, the Dockers announcing on Wednesday that the veteran ruckman has signed a one-year AFL contract extension.
Sandilands, 33, has been sidelined since round three after suffering broken ribs and a punctured lung in a collision with West Coast’s Nic Naitanui.
The last-placed Dockers are yet to register a win this season but Sandilands said the decision to extend his career had been an easy one to make.
“I still love coming to the club every day, am still very passionate and enjoy my footy,” he said.
“I was really happy the club wanted me to go around again and I still believe I have a fair bit to contribute.
“We’ve got a really strong group of players (and) although the results aren’t going our way at the moment, I believe we’ll work through that and be better for it.”
Sandilands was rushed to hospital following his collision with Naitanui where he underwent surgery.
He is still about a month away from resuming but is pleased with his progress.
“I’m ticking some boxes and things are moving in the right direction,” he said.
“The body is starting to feel a lot better and we’ll build from now on and hopefully be back out there as soon as possible.”
The four-time All Australian has played 241 AFL games since being elevated off Fremantle’s rookie list in 2002.
Don Freo
Guest
Luke McPharlin is saying he has a few seasons left in him. Most Freo fans have been saying that. He is so fit and very mobile. He'll lead us to the 12 wins we need in the second half of the season. Things are great behind purple glasses.