RICHMOND has welcomed news that star Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands will play in the WAFL this weekend, but stressed that Ivan Maric and the Tigers midfielders would not underestimate improved big man Jon Griffin at Patersons Stadium.
Fremantle confirmed on Friday afternoon that Sandilands would play for East Fremantle this Sunday in his return from a 10-week toe injury, lining up in the WAFL for the first time since 2005.
Sandilands, who injured the toe against Richmond in round 11, said he was ready to play and "starting to get the run back into the legs".
Griffin has been a key player for Fremantle in the absence of Sandilands, averaging more than 25 hit-outs a game and helping lift the team's clearance numbers.
Richmond midfield coach Brendon Lade said Maric, who was convincingly beaten by Griffin in round 11, welcomed a rematch against his former Adelaide teammate.
"We don't have to worry about a seven-foot guy and I'm sure Ivan will be happy with that," Lade said on Friday.
"In saying that, Griffin last time was very good. We watched a bit of vision of how Ivan got beaten (in round 11), so he's a bit fired up and ready to go against his old mate.
"Griffin has been playing very good football for Freo and he's added something different that Sandilands doesn't offer in the centre bounces and around the ground. Their clearances have probably responded."
Lade said Richmond enjoyed playing at Patersons Stadium and would be buoyed by its record, having won two of its last three games against Fremantle at the venue.
He said key defender Alex Rance was likely to play on star Fremantle forward Matthew Pavlich, who this week equals West Coast champion Glen Jakovich's record of 276 games as the most by a WA-based player.
Pavlich said matching a "legend of WA footy" was a significant achievement and he hoped Fremantle and West Coast fans would be equally proud of the two players.
No West Coast or Fremantle player has reached the 300-game milestone and Pavlich, who is contracted until the end of the 2014 season, said he wasn't looking that far ahead.
He said playing in WA for an entire career and the travel required took its toll but advances in sports science and a focus on recovery could help West Coast and Fremantle players extend their careers.
"It's just that accumulation of fatigue throughout a football season and obviously throughout a career as well," Pavlich said.
"The doctors and physios here at Fremantle, Ken Withers and Jeff Boyle in particular … there's no question I wouldn't have been able to play many a game without their thorough support and guidance along the way.
"I owe a lot to them."
