VETERAN Fremantle big man Aaron Sandilands has no intention of sitting out matches in what could be his final campaign, declaring he wants to play "every game" after an injury-interrupted past two seasons.

Sandilands has only managed 15 games in two years after suffering broken ribs early in 2016 and then battling hamstring issues last campaign. 

But the 211cm ruckman has had an encouraging pre-season and is keen to play regularly for the rebuilding Dockers.

"I'm here to put my hand up for every game pretty much," Sandilands said. 

"Obviously I had a disappointing last couple of years not being able to be out on the park as much as I would've liked. 

"You don’t go through a whole pre-season to put your hand up for only 15 games.

"I don't know if I've got a point to prove but when you don't play as much footy as you like you realise how much you miss it." 

"I know time is coming to an end, so it would be nice to get as many games as I can in."

Sandilands hasn't thought about whether 2018 will be his last year in the AFL and the 254-gamer is still getting "a buzz" out of guiding the next generation.

Last season, his protégé Sean Darcy grew admirably into the No.1 ruck role in Sandilands' absence, after the 35-year-old ripped a hamstring tendon in the first quarter of their only game together in round 15. 

Whether the duo can regularly fit in the same side remains to be seen, but trimmed-down Darcy has worked on his forward craft over summer in a bid to become more versatile.

"If we are both in the same side obviously we're going to have to spend some time up forward," Sandilands said. 

"You work on those things over pre-season, so hopefully at some point we'll get a chance and make it work." 

Darcy was part of the Dockers' main training group early in Monday morning's session after battling a calf issue in recent weeks.

"He came back in great shape at the start of pre-season, so he's up and about," Sandilands said. 

Star midfielder Lachie Neale had a delayed start to main training and is also building his workload after knee surgery. 

"He's working his way back into full footy, so he'll be ready to rumble," Sandilands said. 

Defenders Lee Spurr and Joel Hamling didn't take part in the main group's warm-up while Monday's session was open to media.