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Pav shows why you never write off a champion

4th August, 2015
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Matthew Pavlich is one of the game's great champions, but will never win a flag. (Image: Slattery)
Roar Guru
4th August, 2015
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You would think sitting top of the table, with 15 wins and two losses for the year, things must be rosy for Fremantle, but 2015 has not been all smooth sailing.

Injury issues have popped up at different times, but the Dockers found a way to keep winning games.

What is more ridiculous is at times pundits have questioned captain Matthew Pavlich’s form and value to the side.

At 33 years of age, ‘Pav’ is approaching the end of his career. But before we analyse his performances this year, let’s look at the record.

In his career he’s notched up 330 games, six All-Australian selections, six best and fairest awards, was eight times Fremantle’s leading goal kicker, two times International Rules representative, and has captained the club since 2007.

It’s a record that confirms the obvious: Matthew Pavlich is a champion of the game.

But when the champions of the game are discussed, Pavlich is occasionally excluded. It comes back to the argument that many use to judge players – premierships.

Standing up in the big games is certainly important, but many ordinary players have been premiership players, and Tony Lockett and Gary Ablett Senior don’t have a premiership medallion around their necks. Pavlich is also in that camp.

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Pav has got to the final day in September once, in 2013. Six marks, a goal assist and three goals himself would suggest he did his part in trying to lift the premiership cup.

And what about the 2012 elimination final against Geelong? Pav turned in one of the greatest finals performances in the modern era, kicking six goals while playing on one leg, showing he is a true leader and inspiration.

While Pavlich isn’t having as good a year in 2015 as previous seasons, his possession, mark and goal statistics are quite similar. He still clearly provides value to the side. More often than not Pavlich will take the opposition’s best key defender. No doubt there were a couple of quiet games this season but he has responded.

While the media have spent most the season fawning over the performances of Alex Rance, Pavlich got the better of the big tiger two weeks ago.

Pavlich cannot be expected to kick 10 goals and single-handedly carry Fremantle to victory, but if he can maintain his season average so far of 14.5 disposals, 4.5 marks and an average of around two goals per game while having the best defender on him, there is a spot for Pav for as long as he wants it.

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