He looked up to Aaron Sandilands as a developing ruckman throughout his teenage years, but Gold Coast SUNS big man Tom Nicholls will get the chance to look up to one of his heroes, literally, when he matches up against the Dockers star at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night.

Nicholls has suited up for the GC SUNS in just 10 AFL games so far in his career while Sandilands is fast approaching the 200-game mark, and this weekend’s clash will be the first time the two have gone head-to-head.

Not only does the 22-year-old give away years of experience, but he will also concede 10cm in height as the two battle it out in the ruck.

“I’m going to need a ladder out there, I think,” Nicholls told SUNS TV in Perth.

“He’s obviously the premier ruckman and been a hero of mine growing up.

“Obviously his ruck work is phenomenal, he’s got deft touch and he moves very well for his size, so I try to implement them in my games, definitely.”

Sandilands dominated Collingwood’s inexperienced pairing of Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts at stoppages as the Dockers recorded a stunning 70-point over the home side.

Nicholls had arguably the best game of his career last season against the Magpies when he conceded a couple of inches in height to Witts, and he is going to make the most of his slightly shorter stature to gain an advantage over Sandilands.

“Maybe below my knees, on ground level is probably the main spot I can get him,” Nicholls said.

“He’s obviously really tall, really strong, and he’s got 25kg on me, so I might not be able to outmuscle him that easily.”

On the long ground that is Patersons Stadium, Nicholls will need plenty of rest periods throughout the game. Thankfully for the SUNS, back-up ruckman Charlie Dixon has been cleared to return after he was concussed in the first half of the win over the Tigers, which means Nicholls should be able to enjoy more of a breather than he did in round 1.

“I was happy to get through the Richmond game, playing almost 90 per cent of the game time with Charlie going down.

“Obviously it’s something I’ve got to work on with my fitness but I was happy with the result."

Nicholls has not played in Perth since the 2011 NAB Cup quarter-final clash with West Coast.