Aaron Sandilands aims to play in Fremantle's two NAB Challenge matches

AARON Sandilands plans to play in Fremantle's two NAB Challenge matches as he prepares to shoulder the Dockers' ruck load.

Nathan Fyfe fires up in his first training session for the new year. Picture: Matthew Poon

FREMANTLE giant Aaron Sandilands isn't expecting any favourable treatment over the remainder of summer training and has targeted playing at least two NAB Challenge matches in February.

Sandilands, 31, has conceded he needs critical match conditioning to refine his important fitness levels as the seasoned star prepares to lead the Fremantle ruck brigade with emerging back-up big man Zac Clarke and Jon Griffin both nursing knee injuries.

Clarke, 23, suffered an unusual injury when he strained the posterior cruciate ligament dancing at a music festival in his home state of Victoria on New Year's Eve and will miss eight weeks of pre-season training.

Griffin, 28, is on the comeback trail from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and full knee reconstruction in May last year.

Sandilands revealed plans to play NAB Challenge engagements against arch-rival West Coast on February 18 in the west as well as a road trip encounter against the Western Bulldogs in Melbourne 12 days later.

"I am happy to, I think it will be important to get the match fitness so I'd be keen to play in both," he said after Fremantle training on Monday.

"It's important that you prepare yourself as best you can so that you are ready to go, come (AFL) Round 1.

"All the things that we're doing at the moment is to prepare to the best of our ability and improve in the way that we're training and if we do that it will put us in good stead come Round 1."

Nathan Fyfe fires up in his first training session for the new year. Picture: Matthew Poon

Sandilands is entering his 12th AFL season, and it could be his last if he is forced to endure anywhere near the horrific injury burden the league's tallest player has endured in his past three seasons.

He was restricted to just 10 senior games last season after the big ruck force ripped his hamstring off the bone during a summer pre-season match which required surgery and resumed in Round 15.

A combination of severe foot and toe problems, as well as his hamstring troubles last year, limited Sandilands to just 37 appearances since he won the third of his three All-Australian jumpers back in 2010.

He missed just one outing from mid-season return last year, when he suffered a fractured cheek in Round 21 against Melbourne, but remained a key member of Fremantle's first ever Grand Final side.

Sandilands says the Dockers are well placed to go one better in 2014 with the injection of trade recruits Colin Sylvia from Melbourne and Scott Gumbleton from Essendon.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon talks to skipper Matthew Pavlich. Picture: Matthew Poon

The Dockers have drawn a blockbuster start to the new season in a stand-alone marquee showdown to launch the AFL home-and-away season against Collingwood at Etihad on March 14.

Tough defenders Garrick Ibbotson and Clancee Pearce both missed the Grand Final with Achilles problems and are tipped to press for selection in the opening week against the Magpies.

"We've got some healthy numbers on the (training) track and everyone has back in really good condition after Christmas as well," Sandilands said.

"It's going to be hard for spots as it was last year and when you do get your chance, you've got to be wanting to take it."

Sandilands expects Sylvia and Gumbleton to make instant impacts.

Sylvia, 28, was a free agent to move to Fremantle after his 157 game and 10 years of unbroken service while the injury-savaged Gumbleton, 25, was swapped for a fourth-round draft selection.

"They both come in very keen to impress the group and they're very good additions for the side," Sandilands said.

"I'm sure they will both get a chance."

Sandilands expects Matthew Pavlich to continue as Dockers captain for an 11th straight season.

"Pav is a great leader and I'm pretty sure if he wants it he will be captain again this year," said Sandilands.

Sandilands is on course to play his 200th game in Round 7 if he can stay injury-free, while Pavlich's 300th match is pencilled in for Round 9 against Geelong at Patersons Stadium.