Even in the absence of Fremantle big man Aaron Sandilands, Sunday’s season opener against the Dockers will be won or lost in the midfield according to Assistant Coach Steven King.

Sandilands will miss the round one clash with the Bulldogs through suspension, but King says it does not make planning for Ross Lyon’s men any easier.

“It’s a bit of an unknown, because Sandilands is such a dominant ruckman and has been there for such a long time that when you come up against him both teams are probably roving to the same ruckman, so it’s easy to plan for, but this will throw a different element into it,” King said.

“By no means are we dismissing Jonathon Griffen and Zac Clark, they’ve got some great quality coming in.” 

The Bulldogs have named big men Jordan Roughead and Tom Boyd, both of whom will share ruck duties on Sunday with Jack Redpath named as an emergency.

“They’re both mobile and have great agility when they’re rucking and can both go forward and take a grab as well,” he said. 

“I’ve got great confidence in both of them.

“Boydy last game jumped really well at the footy and got him involved early and then went forward and have an impact as well.

“And Roughy has played down back, played down forward and obviously started as a ruckman as well, so we feel he’s got great flexibility in his game. 

“If we need him to swing to either end of the ground he can do so.”

King says that another key to victory against the mature and experienced Fremantle side will be for the Dogs to focus on their game.

“As a midfield group we have to make sure we’re really well planned but make sure we don’t go into our shells either, and we play the style of footy that we want but it’s going to be a great battle.”