Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands is determined to erase the unhappy memories of last year's semi-final loss to Geelong when the two AFL teams clash at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night.

Sandilands carried a knee injury into that sudden-death showdown and the effects were clear to see, with the 28-year-old tallying just nine possessions and 28 hit-outs as the Cats cruised to a 69-point victory.

The 211cm giant admitted it was frustrating not being able to perform to his potential in such a big match and said it was important for both himself and Fremantle to show their true colours this weekend.

"Every game you lose is an unhappy memory," Sandilands said on Thursday.

"We were disappointed with the way we played Geelong in that final last year, losing the game really hurt ...

"I was just disappointed that I couldn't help the team out as much as I would have liked to.

"It was a big game for us and that game finished our season.

"It was disappointing I couldn't perform for the side."

Sandilands was thrown into the spotlight on Wednesday when Fremantle coach Mark Harvey again urged umpires to ensure the big man was given a fair go at ruck contests.

Harvey believed Sandilands was being unfairly held down at some ruck contests but the 157-game veteran was reluctant to get caught up in all the fuss.

"He's pretty good at putting me on the spot a lot of times. I'll leave that one up to Harvs," Sandilands said with a laugh.

"Look, I don't think too much has changed from last year.

"There are different tactics that other sides try like third man up and things like that but we'll stick to our structure and hopefully we can still get first use of the footy."

Fremantle made just one change to the team that scraped past Brisbane last week, with forward Matt de Boer's recovery from a hamstring injury forcing young midfielder Jayden Pitt out of the side.

Geelong vice-captain Joel Selwood was retained in the Cats' line-up despite copping a heavy knock to the head last week, while captain Cameron Ling, Paul Chapman and James Podsiadly return from injury in a massive boost for the visitors.

Fullback Matthew Scarlett (suspended), Cameron Guthrie (omitted) and Daniel Menzel (omitted) made way.

Sandilands joined de Boer, Chris Mayne, Garrick Ibbotson and Byron Schammer at Princess Margaret Hospital on Thursday to help raise the spirits of sick children for the Starlight Foundation.

Fremantle's home game against Geelong will be used to raise money for foundation.

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