The below feature story appeared in 2018 edition 1 of the Docker Magazine. 

After a full day of training, followed by a promotional photo shoot at Princess Margaret Hospital with the Starlight Children's Foundation, Aaron Sandilands wanted to see if he could fit in an unscheduled visit to the wards. 

"Is there anyone I can visit while I'm here?" asked Aaron, who instead of heading home, made the day for a young Freo fan in Ward 3B.

During Aaron's 16-year AFL career, the game's best strategic minds have tried, and frequently failed, to utilise the biggest, strongest and fittest men to limit the impact of the dominant 211cm ruckman.

Off the field, it has been some of the smallest children who have made the biggest impression on what wife Jenny describes as the "big, lovable and caring" heart of her husband. 

In the 16 years since taking on the role as an ambassador for the Starlight Children's Foundation, Jenny has seen the same care Aaron has shown continue on in his role as a father. 

"One of the best qualities about Aaron is that he cares so much about all of the many things that he does, but above all is his family." Jenny said.

"We're very fortunate in our family to have three beautiful, healthy girls.

"I think Aaron likes to be able to be that lovely caring persion that he is as a father to other people as well, who perhaps are not as fortunate to have kids who aren't as healthy as ours."

The four-time All Australian credits much of his development while at Fremantle to assistant coach Simon Eastaugh, whose influence has extended well beyond the boundary line.


Sandilands credits Simon Eastaugh (right) as an important influence in his career

When Aaron arrived at Fremantle as a rookie-listed 18-year-old, Eastaugh was among Fremantle's lead ruckmen, playing 12 games for the club between 2001 and 2002.

“One of my biggest in uences has been Easty. He is pretty much like a father gure as well,” Aaron said.

“I was fortunate enough to work and train with him when I first started at the club. He’s also been the ruck coach on and off and he holds a special place.”

Jenny Sandilands agreed that Eastaugh’s mentorship had been “wonderful” for Aaron.

“Simon’s a very calm, level-headed guy and I think that Aaron works well with someone like that,” she said.

“They’re both very patient and I think that’s a wonderful quality to have.”

In the same way that Eastaugh took Aaron under his wing in 2001, Sandilands is doing the same as Fremantle develops the next generation of ruckmen.

At 35, Sandilands is approaching being twice the age of the newest players on Fremantle’s list, but they can all find at least one common ground outside of football...food.

“Fremantle really do have a number of lovely boys at the club,” Jenny said.

“We’ve had some of them over for dinner recently and they eat as much as what Aaron does, that’s for sure!

“He really enjoys that mentoring role and I think, being in the latter stages of his career, he has now got something that he would like to pass on to the next generation.”

As a senior player, Aaron takes this mentoring role as seriously as his on-field role.

“The biggest thing I’ve gotten from Easty is the importance of passing on what you’ve learnt over time to the younger guys,” Aaron said.

“Like Sean Darcy, Lloyd Meek, those sort of guys. We’re trying to leave an imprint and trying to help those guys improve and grow as quick as they can.

“They’re outstanding young individuals and you know if you can play some small part in trying to guide them you can have a big impact.

“They’re like big sponges trying to absorb as much information as they can.”

At five years old, daughter Sloane is starting to realise that her father isn’t just loved within the family home.


Aaron Sandilands with two of his daughters, Sloane and Billie

“The girls love the football!” Jenny said.

“Sloane is now understanding that her dad does something that is a little bit cool. Prior to that, they just loved going to games and they just love the colour purple.

“We’re lucky he plays for Fremantle as they just love the purple, so it’s happy days in our house.”

While it’s all smiles and purple in the Sandilands household, Aaron empathises with the families who don’t have it as easy.

“All you wish for is for a baby to come out healthy and we’re extremely fortunate that our three girls have come out fit and firing,” Sandilands said.

“When you see how some families go through serious adversity, you realise how powerless a mum or dad could feel when trying to help their child.”

In such situations, Aaron has taken a lead from the many Captain Starlights that are a feature of PMH’s wards.

“From the first year, we got to spend time in the Starlight Express room, and you see how hard the Captain Starlights work to put smiles on kids faces when they’re going through adversity and tough times,” Aaron said.

“To be able to contribute to that, you get a good buzz and a really good feeling out of being able to give back.

‘That was in the first year or so when I realised that.”

And in that way, the Sandilands family have also felt a positive impact from their involvement with the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

“While you could say that Aaron’s been giving to Starlight as an ambassador, I think it cuts both ways,” Jenny said.

“It’s been such a big part of Aaron’s life for such a long time now, some of those kids still send us letters and I’d say Aaron gets just as much as much out of it as they do.

“I think even when football finishes, I’m sure he will try and do something and continue on with them in some capacity.”