Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands out for two months with hamstring injury TALL TIMBER: The remainder of Fremantle's ruck unit will have to step up after Aaron Sandilands (centre) was ruled out for two months. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow FREMANTLE has suffered a fresh injury setback ahead of the start of the AFL season, with ruckman Aaron Sandilands ruled out for two months with a hamstring injury. The 30-year-old suffered a partial tear to his hamstring tendon during last weekend's NAB Cup opener against Geelong. While Sandilands will not require surgery, the club expects him to be sidelined for up to eight weeks, ruling him out of the Dockers" Round 1 derby clash with West Coast. The Eagles are also expected to be without one of their first-choice ruckmen for the Round 1 clash, with Nic Naitanui facing a race against time to recover from a groin injury. "It's certainly unfortunate that Aaron will be out for an extended period of time, but we have great confidence in our structures and players to be able to fill the role," Fremantle football operations manager Chris Bond said. Sandilands played 14 of a possible 24 games last season after struggling to overcome a toe injury. His absence for the opening few rounds of the season is expected to provide opportunities for ruck duo Zac Clarke and Jon Griffin, while Kepler Bradley could also be called upon to pinch-hit at stoppages. Bookmakers reacted quickly to the news that Sandilands would miss the opening weeks of the season, with TAB.com.au pushing Fremantle's price out further in head-to-head derby betting. A Dockers win in Round 1 now pays $2.30 with the betting agency - out from $2.25 - with West Coast firming into $1.60.