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Pav’s new deal a confidence booster

By Mr Dandalooa

Matthew Pavlich has signed at the Fremantle Football Club until the end of 2014, in a timely confidence booster for the Dockers going into the do-or-die clash against Geelong tomorrow.

The skipper yesterday re-signed the 28-year-old who is set to qualify for veteran status in 2012.

The versatile player is widely regarded as one of the premier AFL centre half-forwards of the modern era, achieving All-Australian selection every year between 2002 and 2008, twice representing Australia in the International Rules Series and representing the Dream Team in the 2008 Hall of Fame Tribute Match.

So far this season he has had a blinder.

He notched 25 disposals, 10 kicks and 15 handballs in round 22 in Freo’s 6-pt win over Carlton at Subiaco.

Just three weeks earlier on August 1 he had 19 disposals, with 11 kicks and 4 goals in the 75-pt romping over West Coast at Subiaco.

Back in April in round 3, Pav also notched 26 disposals, 19 kicks, 7 handballs and 5 goals Freo’s 7-pt win over Geelong at Subiaco.

It is on this game that he will draw his inner strength to hopefully lead the Dockers again to victory over the Premiers.

Pavlich has played his entire AFL career at Fremantle where he is a five time best and fairest winner and club captain since 2007.

Since his first game for Fremantle, Pav has consistently shown all the attributes of a key forward: a physical presence with his 192cm height and a weight of 101 kg; his sheer strength, speed and agility.

However, it was not until 2005 that he played primarily at centre half forward.

Pavlich managed to stamp his authority on Fremantle initially in his debut season, making his debut in round 5 10 years ago against Melbourne.

In that game Pavlich achieved the rare feat of kicking 2 goals with his first 2 kicks in the AFL. He went on to play 18 games for the season, earning himself a Rising star nomination while contributing consistently.

In 2005 Pav moved to centre half forward and the move paid massive dividends for the team.

Pavlich topped Fremantle’s list of goalkickers, with 61 goals for the season. He also took more marks than any other Docker and won his second Doig Medal as Fremantle’s best and fairest player.

He has been selected in the All-Australian Teams six times: in 2002 (fullback), 2003 (half forward flank), 2005 (centre half forward), 2006 (interchange), 2007 (full forward) and 2008 (interchange).

He was a member of the Australian International rules team in 2002 and 2003, and was a Rising Star nominee in 2000. On 13 December 2006 Pavlich was named the captain of the Fremantle Football Club, succeeding Peter Bell.

On August 14 2007 Pavlich signed a new, 3-year contract with the Fremantle Football club, which ended speculation that he may join the Adelaide Crows or Port Adelaide.

The contract is rumoured to be worth $2.5 million.

Now this latest signing could see the champion round out his career at Fremantle with the possibility of a Premiership top add to his growing accolades.