Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett says Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands is key for the Dockers

WINNING a premiership is often described as scaling football's Everest.

Dockers Michael Barlow and Aaron Sandilands will play a huge role in their club's premiership pursuits. Picture: Getty

WINNING a premiership is often described as scaling football's Everest.

It is man mountain Aaron Sandilands that Gold Coaster David Hale and his ruck sidekick Max Bailey must conquer if the Hawks are to lift the cup on the MCG this afternoon.

Like his great cross-town rival West Coast’s Dean Cox before him, Sandilands was overlooked in the draft and got his chance through the rookie draft.

Between them the pair have appeared in nine All Australian sides over the past decade.

So dominant is the 211cm and 120kgs Docker, the biggest man to ever play the game, AFL Hall of Fame Legend Leigh Matthews believes Fremantle’s midfield has the edge over the highly decorated Lions’ on-ball brigade that won a three-peat of premierships between 2001-03.

Suns skipper and Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett says while his size puts Sandilands head and shoulders in the league — it is how he puts it to use that makes Fremantle’s midfield so potent.

He also believes the ability of Hale and Bailey to compete with Sandilands and his swiftly emerging off-sider Zac Clarke that could shape the grand final.

“Yeah, I think so,’’ he said.

“A lot of ruckman have strengths and weaknesses as to where they can tap the ball so even if they are dominant you often know where they are going to hit it and you can read it.

“Sandilands can hit it anywhere, he is so tall and big and he uses his body so well, but his great strength is he changes his hitting zones every single hit.

“So you don’t get a chance to read it.

“That’s what makes it so tough against them, if you’re not winning the hit outs, their mids are getting taps to advantage.’’

Ablett says if Fremantle get on top and deny Hawthorn the chance to control the footy they can win — but is still backing Hawthorn’s skills to win the day.

Matthews is tipping Fremantle because of the dominance of their midfield — whose performances in their two finals to date have set a new benchmark in the post-season.

“What they are doing in September is as good as I’ve seen,’’ he said.

“If you take the combination of the two big ruckman and the ground level players, I’ve never seen a centre square squad as powerful as Fremantle have been in September 2013.’’

Hale may not have the size of Sandilands, but his sporting pedigree is second to none.

His father Ron was an Olympic rower and mother Yvonne an Australian netball and basketball player.

He is up for the challenge.

“It’s going to be a big challenge but ... I think you want to go up against the best,’’ he said.