Fremantle coach Ross Lyon wishes he could have sent Matthew Pavlich out on a better note, describing the retiring veteran as an extension of himself.
Pavlich will notch his 350-game milestone in Sunday’s AFL clash with Sydney at Domain Stadium.
The 34-year-old decided to play on this year in the hope of finally landing an elusive flag.
Instead, 2016 will be remembered as one of Fremantle’s worst ever seasons, with the Dockers set to finish in 16th spot after snaring just three wins from the opening 17 rounds.
It’s a huge fall from grace for Fremantle, which had played finals in Lyon’s first four years at the club – including a grand final appearance in 2013.
Lyon said Pavlich was pivotal in ensuring his arrival at Fremantle translated into a period of success.
“He was a critical piece for me when I walked through the door cold,” said Lyon, who was under immediate pressure to produce results following the shock sacking of popular coach Mark Harvey in 2011.
“I didn’t really know anything about the Dockers to be truthful. Or much about Matthew.
“I knew he was a very good player. But as a leader he was certainly an extension of me, (and) helped set standards and drive the group.
“I tend to start at the top and whack the best ones, and everyone else falls into line.
“He understood that, he responded to that and I’m really grateful for his contribution in my coaching period at the Dockers.”
Lyon praised Pavlich’s ability to carry both internal and external pressure.
Pavlich, who captained Fremantle for nine years before handing over the mantle to David Mundy at the end of last season, is a six-time All-Australian and six-time winner of Fremantle’s best-and-fairest award.
He won the minor premiership with Fremantle last season, and was a critical part of the side’s surge to the 2013 grand final.
But he will leave the game without a flag to his name – a situation Lyon wishes he could have changed.
“We wish this year could have been a bit different. But at the end of the day it’s still a pleasure to work with Matthew,” Lyon said.
“He leaves a really big footprint at this club that will take a while to blow away.
“He set great standards and he’s been through some difficult periods and he leaves behind a legacy of hard work, determination and character.”.
No WA-based has ever notched 300 games, let alone the 350 mark Pavlich is about to post.
Retired West Coast ruckman Dean Cox (290 games) is the next best WA-based player, and Lyon said Pavlich’s feat was incredible given the extensive travel burden he has been forced to deal with.
“He is quite miraculous in a lot of ways,” Lyon said.
Matthew Pavlich in a nutshell
– Age: 34
– Games: 249
– Goals: 693
– All Australians: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
– Best and fairests: 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011
– Captain: 2007-15
Jack
Guest
My definition of a great leader is the ability to up the ante when the chips are down (anyone can do it when things are on the up) - Luke Hodge, James Hird, John Worsfold and Paul Kelly come to mind.
Dean. R
Guest
Mike huber, I wish you would let us all know who your icon of the modern day game is, so we can all be afforded the luxury of taking pot shots at him as well.......but, alas, most of the people on this forum have a bit more class than you seem to possess. It is easy to pick apart any great player if we wanted to. We could all say that Ablett Sr couldn't drag his team to a premiership, or that Lockett was too fat and out of shape, and took advantage of a brilliant Swans midfield without having to work too hard for his goals. We could even say Robert Harvey was loved by the umpires, and got a huge amount of frees. But we would all be ignorant and clueless to do that, because my bet is that none of us here have ever played at the elite AFL level, let alone have won numerous club champion awards, or All Australian awards. These players should be praised for having provided great servivce to the game in the manner that they have, and most of can attest that the game has benefitted for having them in it. And I am sure I can speak for all on this forum by saying this site would be better off for not having you on it.
Darcy
Guest
Well said
Don Freo
Guest
Big words, Mike, but used incorrectly. If I am challenging you, I am certainly not a sycophant. Have you never read my praise of WC or my enjoyment of Buckley's coaching of Collingwood? You may have missed my defence of Essendon's suspended players. Have a full read of this thread. Not a lot of love for your ideas.
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
Don I would rather participate in critical analysis rather than be some obsequious sycophant hung up on one team, Freo .
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
Tim He has more chance of watching The Full Monty than receiving legend status !
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
Realist I love it " down hill skier "......brilliant ! Yes , The Pav was a big girls blouse - reminded me so much of Sav Rocca at Collingwood - couldn't run through a wet paper bag.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Spoken like a true nobody, denigrating the record of a modern great.
Don Freo
Guest
Just Father Time, Jess. I think he is playing well enough to go again but Pav will know when it's time to go. He is a very bright man and with his Masters of Business degree, he'll pop up again...possibly in footy administration.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Great player in all regards With him respected for his loyalty, particularly at the time he committed to Freo Then his career, I have seen many great swingmen, but what sets Pavlich apart is he can not only play all the key posts , both forward/back but also be a very destructive big mid He is an absolute monty for the Hall of Fame and a sneaky chance at Legend status
Don Freo
Guest
That's just the nature of some people. All of Mike's comments are like that. He goes to every thread where someone is praised and he'll try his whingey put down.
Jess
Guest
What I don't get is why is he leaving. Matthew pavilich was a champion player. P. S if you know why he's leaving please tell me ASAP
Nik
Guest
Stay classy Mike
anon
Guest
Pavlich's finals record of 2.4 goals a game from a significant sample size far exceeds that of his contemporaries like Brown, Tredrea and Riewoldt. Those guys were all effectively permanently forwards too. Pav played some of those matches out of the middle, yet still has a superior finals record. Last year in the finals, Brown was on Fox Footy talking about how Pavlich needs to finally have a big September after failing in the 2013 Grand Final. Are you kidding me? He kicked 3 goals. No-one was a bigger dud in Grand Finals than Brown himself. I do think though he could have given a little bit more at times. For a 100 kilo, 192cm man I don't think he really imposed himself on contests as he could have and I think he was more influential as a midfielder than forward. But his record holds up against anyone of the last 15 years.
Balthazar
Guest
Oh and to add to the above, there are plenty of games that Pav won off his own boot. My favourite is the elimination final against the Cats at the MCG in 2012, when Geelong was still near the height of their powers and Freo was, well, Freo. At the MCG (I emphasise) where Freo's record was abysmal. Matt kicked 3 of the first 5 goals and then 3 more in the last half when the Cats were surging. It was the performance of a champion and only the third finals win in the club's history. But hey you know football, right?
Balthazar
Guest
Truth be known, you are no better than that disgrace Mark Robinson who shamefully attacked Matt during an interview. And show about the same lack of knowledge about football You will not find another player so loyal to his club as to have suffered through 18 losses in a row and then reject all overtures to go to a better performing club. You will not find another player who will play 350 games while having to catch flights across Australia every second week.You will not find another player who will kick 693 goals while having spent literally years playing in the midfield and defence. You will not find another player who is All Australian in defence, the midfield and up forward. And he's done all this while being a scrupulously fair and honourable person and player. No drink driving or drug-related issues for Pav. I get that the usual sheep on this site think they get likes for attacking everything to do with the Dockers. But the fact that the above are the only 3 comments on a great champion of the game is appalling and demonstrates the mindset of mindless keyboard warriors who would never themselves be capable of achieving what he has achieved.
Realist
Guest
Truth be known a lot of us outside of WA have always considered Pavlich a true downhill skier. When the going is good, Pavlich was hanging aroung getting his share of the spoils, but when it was ropey, he was found wanting.
Spruiker
Guest
Jeez mike a bit hard,
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
"But as a leader he was certainly an extension of me, (and) helped set standards and drive the group." Yes Pav is like Ross , a premiership failure who could not inspire and motivate his team to the Ulitmate prize . Considering his vast size and masculinity Pav was as soft as a Pavlova !