AFL Legend Leigh Matthews says Fremantle star ruckman Aaron Sandilands is the most overrated player in footy

LEIGH Matthews has branded Fremantle’s Aaron Sandilands “the most overrated player in footy” after Hawthorn’s 58-point demolition on Friday night.

AFL legend Leigh Matthews has branded Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands “the most overrated player in footy” following Hawthorn’s 58-point Docker demolition on Friday night.

Hawthorn shot to outright premiership favouritism ($3.70) with TAB after dominating the midfield battle against the Dockers, despite losing first-choice ruckman Ben McEvoy to a calf complaint before the match.

While Hawks’ coach Alastair Clarkson admitted the late injury blow left him feeling “twitchy”, Hawthorn champion Matthews yesterday bluntly questioned whether the ongoing hype surrounding the 211cm Sandilands was justified.

The giant Fremantle ruckman, who shortened from $41 to $26 for the Brownlow Medal last week, had 33 hit-outs but Hawthorn won the clearances 41 to 36 in Friday night’s rout.

“They (Dockers) lose the clearances every week,” Matthews said on 3AW.

“Hit outs are useless, it’s only what they contribute to the clearance, running the ball away from the pack.

“So I’m going to make a statement, Aaron Sandilands is therefore the most overrated player in footy, because hit-outs is all he does.”

Sandilands had 11 disposals and suffered in comparison to West Coast ruckman Dean Cox, Matthews said.

“Now that’s a great ruckman, because he’s good at the hit outs, fantastic follower and gets around the ground,” he said.

Docker Aaron Sandilands fumbles a mark. Picture: Colleen Petch.

Clarkson was hopeful McEvoy would return to bolster Hawthorn’s ruck stocks against Gold Coast next Saturday night, while Hale is also nursing a sore shoulder after suffering a heavy knock to the joint in his 200th game.

Injured Hawks Ben Stratton (hamstring), Ryan Schoenmakers (knee reconstruction) and Brad Sewell (hamstring) all made their returns through the VFL yesterday.

The trio, along with suspended Norm Smith Medalist Brian Lake, who is also battling a calf issue, are expected to push for senior selection in the next few weeks, Clarkson said.

Fremantle will endeavour to bounce back from the Grand Final replay thrashing against Essendon on Sunday.

But Bombers’ great Matthew Lloyd said worryingly for Fremantle coach Ross Lyon, his men may have fallen off the premiership pace.

“Ross might have walked away thinking the gap has widened (between the Hawks and the Dockers) over the off season,” Lloyd said.

“He needs to win a flag. This is the time I think while Pavlich and Sandilands are probably in the last year or two of their time.

“For Ross, this is his best chance ever to win a flag.”

Fremantle defender Zac Dawson will make a welcome return against Essendon after serving his one-match ban, but the club has a string of new injury concerns.

Garrick Ibbotson (dislocated shoulder), Chris Mayne (ankle) and Michael Walters (ankle) were all excused from attending Fremantle’s Victorian fan day at Junction Oval in St Kilda yesterday morning.

The trio will have scans today, with Ibbotson facing an extended stint on the sidelines in a devastating blow in his first game back from achilles surgery, which wiped out his finals series last season.

Ruckman Jack Hannath has a nervous wait for tomorrow’s match review panel findings after his awkward spoiling attempt against Hawk Matt Spangher in the first quarter.