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Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich says the state of his body rather than the team’s prospects of premiership success will decide whether he plays on next AFL season.
Pavlich said he was honoured to be voted in as Dockers skipper for an eighth straight season after receiving a ringing endorsement from the player group.
The 32-year-old is in the final year of his contract, but is likely to wait until later in the season before making a decision on his future.
The 291-game veteran was restricted to just 12 appearances last year in Fremantle’s run to the grand final, where they lost to Hawthorn by 15 points.
Fremantle’s premiership window is still well and truly open, but Pavlich said his body would be the main determinant as to whether he plays on in 2015.
“If the body is holding well and I have all those strong desires to keep playing, then that will be the ultimate test,” Pavlich said on Thursday.
“The success or otherwise is a secondary consideration.”
Defender Lee Spurr was promoted into the club’s leadership group, with the 26-year-old joining Pavlich, Matt de Boer, Luke McPharlin, David Mundy and Aaron Sandilands.
Forwards Hayden Ballantyne and Chris Mayne dropped out.
Pavlich hopes to form a potent attacking tag team with Scott Gumbleton, who made the switch from Essendon to Fremantle at the end of last season.
Gumbleton has been plagued by back injures throughout his stop-start career, but the Dockers are hopeful the 25-year-old can reach his potential in Perth.
“We’re really rapt to have him,” Pavlich said.
“His attitude and his application so far has been tremendous.
“Scott and I have been training very closely together both out on the track in the forward line and also in the gym.
“He and I share some unfortunate similarities with back (injuries) more recently. Touch wood that that’s all good for both of us.”
Fremantle will play their first game of the pre-season when they take on West Coast at Arena Joondalup on February 18,
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