"He's certainly different," said the 200-centimetre Clarke of the 210-centimetre Sandilands. "A lot of guys are of a similar build but he's a different sort of challenge.
"He's probably the biggest guy in the league and he's been playing really well over the last month, so it's going to be a large challenge.
"But I guess this time we'll have both myself and Rhett (Biglands, 200 centimetres) on deck, whereas last time (round 19) Rhett (hamstring injury) had to pull out just before the game (and was replaced by Ivan Maric, who had rucked for Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL the previous day).
"He had a tough run there, Ivan, but he did pretty well. But obviously it just limited our flexibility. We could only use him in short bursts whereas this time we'll have a full contingent on board."
Clarke, 33 on Monday week (September 18), has ample respect for Sandilands, 23.
"You've got to just accept that some of the time he's going to win some of the hit-outs and when you're not in a strong position you've just got to work as hard as you can to neutralise him, basically," he said.
"And when you do have a clear run at it, you've got an opportunity to compete fairly evenly, I'd say."
Asked how critical Sandilands was to the Dockers' game, Clarke said: "I think they're all going pretty well but he's been their No. 1 ruckman over the last month, and if we're able to negate him that'll be a bonus."
Reminded he had been in good form himself for some weeks, Clarke said: "I'd come off two games where I wasn't particularly happy with my consistency, and a lot of the time that's your mental focus and mental application, so a little reminder from the media got me on the straight and narrow.
"It's been really enjoyable running around. I've been telling my mates that it's like when the horses turn for home, they can smell the chaff, smell the hay in the shed … I'm ready to get there."
Saturday's match will be Clarke's 247th - his 117th for Adelaide after 130 for Brisbane from 1993-99.
Asked whether he could play on next year, he said: "Physically, I'm pretty sound but I think we'll just wait until the end of the year. Probably for most of the year this has been looked upon as my last year and that's probably still the case.
"If we do well and progress deep into the finals, that'll be pleasing and that'll be a factor in any decision, I guess.
"It's pretty easy to get seduced by a couple of weeks (of good personal form). I think I'll assess it over the whole year. And one of the factors is that if you're going to commit to play on, then you've got to be willing to play out a full season, and that's a pretty large commitment."
Clarke said the Crows' 'vibe and energy' had been 'up a little bit' since last week, and training sessions were shorter now.
And he said the 'large prize' - a home preliminary final - would ensure both teams were 'ready to go'.
"Basically, we've got back to the sort of footy we wanted to play last week (and did against Melbourne)," he said. "Even though the result didn't affect our position on the ladder at all, it probably was important for us just to get back to that and have that sort of muscle memory going into this week.
"So I think just that sort of all-over team pressure, which has probably been a bit of a hallmark of the side throughout the year … if we can maintain that, I'd rate us a fair chance.
"They've got a lot of runners all over the park, so our ability to close them down and shut down that run will be very important.
"Their form is impeccable. They've won nine straight and they've beaten most of the sides in the top eight, so you just have to be respectful of that. They've played really, really well and they deserve to be where they're at, as do we."
