Aaron Sandilands announces retirement at season's end

[WilloTree]

Polly Farmer?

Not old enough to have seen him live.

 

[Forward Press]

Are there any?

Not sure of anyone else but Dean Cox won 6 selections.

 

[Chubberson]

Great career. His absolute peak, I'd pick him over Cox but big Cox had a better overall career. I loved watching the big unit monster everyone.

 

[im_a_lazy_sod]

I have so much love for the big fella. Loved when he played angry, but we seldom saw it (unless you're Paul Puopolo)

I posted these on the freo board and I think most sets of fans will appreciate them:

This bump:


This tap:


This bump:

 

[Quokka]

For a long time Sandilands' biggest problem was that he was so dominant that opposition teams had to plan around him getting the tap... which worked fine because Freo's midfield was usually s**t.

 

[demondavey]

Beast. Might need to get a car to himself for the Grand Final retirement lap of honour.

 

[The King!]

good player, well done on the career

 

[demondavey]

Serious player. 270 games and 4x AA is an elite output for a guy playing purely as a ruckman.

 

[100action]

Underrated early.

Upped his game strangely enough later in his career when he started taking contested marks around the ground. Gun player.

 

[masai]

Got the best from his body, gentle giant and highly respected in the AFL community.

He stayed on this year to tutor (mentor) Sean Darcy, and now I think he can see that his job is done. He will quietly wander off to his lawnmower.

Will get a good send off on the weekend, by both clubs supporters.

 

[WWSD]

Drafted in the 2001 rookie draft. He’s had a great career. One of the Dockers greatest ever players.

Only 2 players now remain from the class of 2001

Hodge
Ablett

 

[_jrtp09_]

Club legend, games’ champion.

Thanks for the memories Sandi.

 

[chunkylover]

Gun. Should've won a brownlow. Remember he was 9 votes from 3 games one year and dominating. Got injured and that was that.

 

[flamethrower]

Great player who changed the game .

A career in Hollywood or the WWE awaits.

 

[PerthBoy86]

Surprised he played as long as he did. Did well though, and definitely more than just tall. Well done Sandi.

 

[PerthBoy86]

Gun. Should've won a brownlow. Remember he was 9 votes from 3 games one year and dominating. Got injured and that was that.

Not sure we'll see another ruckman or forwaed win it in our lifetimes, unfortunately.

 

[Bicco]

I always liked how Sandi beat whoever was the latest "best ruckman in the competition".

A genuine giant of the game. Could play.

Sandi was often the best ruckman of the day. He didn't dominate games but usually dominated his opponent.

 

[Rod Stroker]

Drafted in the 2001 rookie draft. He’s had a great career. One of the Dockers greatest ever players.

Only 2 players now remain from the class of 2001

Hodge
Ablett

Interesting. Burgoyne has played more than both of them but started a year later.

 

[Altum Volantes]

I remember when he first started - I called him the worst player in the league (if you want to dig back 15 years on here you’ll probably find it).

Became such a great player - so damn big. Whenever we played Freo, I would feel a sense of relief if Sandilands wasn’t out there.

Probably went on a couple of seasons too long but he’s one of Ross’s favourites...any chance for a cheeky Rookie List spot in case Darcy goes down?

 

[Pusswah]

* he was good when he was up and going.
Never really sussed out that whole marking deal.
Always seemed to have the 'Sando' rule applied, where three campaigners could hang off of him and not give away a free kick for some ******* reason.

Game needs characters like this.

 

[hoianbulldog]

One of my sons favourite players growing up, will be missed. Legend of the club.

You have a jims group logo on BF? That's a little weird. Jim wouldn't know a football from a handbag

 

[hoianbulldog]

 

[HurleyHepsHird]

Just to add one more point, guys like NicNat and Mummy legit hurt people. They know how to use their bodies as a weapon.

But I don't think I've seen a modern player, or maybe any player just physically devastate people by incidental contact or when they would initiate contact against Sandi like he could.

An absolute presence at stoppages at his peak and watching him still on his knees reach through a pack and grab mids, then drag them to ground, was always entertaining. Seen him up close and personal during a warm up and I just imagine his opponents bottling it when the big fella came at em.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

He could have kept playing into his 40s and still get BOG every time Fremantle played Geelong. Sorry to see him finish up, but not sorry that he won't be able to slaughter Geelong's rucks anymore.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Loved watching the giant at his peak.

As if Freo didn't need more motivation to beat us on Saturday.

And the team will bend over and let it happen as Llyod said the team is a mental basket case.