When you hear the phrase “a champion of the game”, a distinct type of player will generally come to mind.
They are the players that have performed at an almost superhuman level throughout their careers, impacting on games in a manner that leaves the supporters in a state of awe.
However there is a player that consistently seems to elude the so called experts whenever a list of champions is compiled, and that player is Matthew Pavlich.
After recently reading an article detailing the Herald Sun’s top 25 players over the past 50 years, it was not a surprise to find that of the nine voting experts, only one saw Pavlich as a top 25 player (David King rating Pavlich at 24). I have not been one to buy into the consensus that players from interstate clubs are overlooked by those in Victoria, but in the case of Pavlich, I struggle to come to any other possible conclusion.
To look solely at individual achievements, Pavlich would stand up with any of the names on the Herald Sun’s list. Players such as Dermott Brereton (one time All Australian, one time Best and Fairest) and Stephen Kernahan (two time All Australian, three time Best and Fairest), while being champions, do not come close to Pavlich (six All Australians, six Best and Fairests) in this regard, yet each of them were listed ahead of the ex Fremantle captain.
One may argue that Brereton and Kernahan played in multiple premierships, however it is hard to justify penalising Pavlich for being drafted to perhaps the weakest club in the competition at the time.
Do we think any less of Gary Ablett Jr as a player in his time at the Gold Coast simply because they haven’t been a successful side?
If these indicators weren’t enough to warrant an appearance on these lists, surely his versatility should have been. In order to be selected All Australian, you must have been in the best six or seven players in your position from the whole competition, a feat most AFL players will never achieve.
What is most astounding about Pavlich’s All Australian selections is the fact that he has been selected as a defender, midfielder and as a forward. How many players in the history of the game have been an All Australian in each key area on the ground at different times of their career? I couldn’t name one.
This versatility makes Pavlich’s 700 career goals all the more statistically impressive, as he spent considerable periods of his time beyond the forward line and still led the goal kicking on eight separate occasions. His versatility was met also with durability, being the only player to play their entire career for either West Coast or Fremantle and play over 300 games.
There have been a number of champion players grace the field throughout the history of this great game. Separating them is a gruelling task that hinges on individual bias and viewpoints, and debate will continue to grow with the game.
Yet over 353 games Matthew Pavlich has set a standard of versatility this game has never seen before, and it’s about time the experts woke up and recognised it.
Andrew Macdougall
Roar Pro
That is not me. Lol.
Don Freo
Guest
I suspect you are the Perth, WBs, West Coast, Subi Andrew Macdougall. If so you could have been a star. If so, write an article about the frustration of an injury crippled career. I suspect that because that Andrew Mac went into player management and PR (I think). Is that you? They are interesting subjects.
Andrew Macdougall
Roar Pro
Good read, interesting topic. I feel the team you play for and how many premierships will ultimately determine how people view someones career at the end of the day. Sadly, I think Pavlich falls into the bracket of playing for Freo and no flags, if he had have played for Collingwood would his status be even higher? Yes. As a Bulldogs fan I often wondered this about Chris Grant, playing for a club like the Bulldogs often means his career is overlooked when talking about past players. In my view Pav is one of the greats.
Gecko
Guest
I'm originally from Victoria but agree with you WA guys that Pav was clearly ahead of Kernahan and Brereton. Not sure how many of the nine voting experts were non-Victorians but to produce an unbiased list, some of them should have been. On a list of the most resilient or the most adaptable players, Pav might just rank number 1.
Don Freo
Guest
That Pav is behind Kernahan and Brereton shows that Pav is under rated. He was better than both as demonstrated in the article. Can anyone cite Dermie's achievements or Sticks' achievements and make them sound better? Premierships are team achievements and not indicators of a player's ability.
dontknowmuchaboutfootball
Guest
The thing I always felt most sorry about for Pav was not so much not getting a Premiership (that's a given), but just missing out on the Coleman in 2012. He, Riewoldt and Buddy were very close going into the last round, from memory, but Pav's aim was off (2.3) against Melbourne, and he was being well held by the 2 (and 3) defenders, leaving Ballas to feed off the crumbs. Buddy got nothing that round, but Richmond and Port were engaged in a shoot out, leaving Riewoldt enough space and supply to kick 6. I reckon if Pav had've won the Coleman that year, he'd be getting more recognition in these exercises.
Scuba
Guest
Robert Harvey was a hell of a lot better a player than Pavlich - I don't see articles being written about him missing some stupid list in the Herald Sun.
Scuba
Guest
Pavlich a top 10 player in the last 50 years? Pass me what you're smoking because it must be good stuff. If Judd and Voss weren't top 10 there's no way Pavlich was going to be. If you want to run the anti-Victoria line, you'd be much better off hitching your wagon to Glen Jakovich.
John Williamson
Roar Rookie
I think comparing Lockett and Pav is a separate argument all together. Lockett is seen by some as the greatest ever player, but when players such as Brereton and Kernahan are placed ahead of him, thats when I feel he is well underrated. But at the end of the day thats just a viewing Pavlich differently to yourself, as I feel he is certainly worthy of a top 10 sort of position.
Jon boy
Guest
Your opinion of course But Lockett is no where in the same class as Pav, he rarely left the goal square great mark and kick but could not play back or midfield Was fed majority of goals he kicked Being a premiership player is not that irrelevant For Example Robert Harvey,,,,,,It is Blokes like him that made Lockett Pavlich was a stand alone Footballer
Mattician6x6
Guest
Just heard the fyfe signature is about a week away.great news
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Who under rates him? He was a fantastic player. What's wrong with not being considered in the Top 25 players of the last 50 years? That's a cream of the crop. Whether it's fair or not a lot of people feel "team" success is more important than individual awards. While Pavlich was an absolute great player, I guess he's probably viewed by some (including myself) just under those top tier guys because when it ultimately comes down to it, he didn't quite get the ultimate success. Those top guys either did, or they were absolute champions that just stand out (guys like Lockett etc). No disrespect to Pav, but I just don't feel that he fills the Lockett type status.
hAPPY hOOKER
Guest
No.
Jon boy
Guest
GREAT Player, Inspirational Leader ,Dedicated and above All Loyal Resisted big Dollars to go home or to Victoria Will always be the greatest Docker,,,,,,in my time We can also claim to have the most over r,,,,,,
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
Not only a great footballer who doesn't receive the recognition he deserves, but an excellent commentator of the game who makes the likes of Brereton look and sound like a student of the game. Pav always has an insightful comment about the game he commentates that not only explains what is happening on the field but educates the audience at the same time.
John Williamson
Roar Rookie
I am also from WA so I understand where youre coming from. I dont feel that there is always a bias towards victorian players, more so the lack of exposure and coverage 10-15+ years ago. But certianly there should be a much greater acknowledgement of some Western Australian champions.
Mattician6x6
Guest
Maybe in Victoria but in WA he is held up there with our greats and his achievements are held in the highest esteem regardless of your allegiances. As a west coast fan I remember Dean Kemp's final game against essendon and Kevin Sheedys statement "if Dean had played in Victoria he'd be held up there with the champions", the same train of thought could be applied to Pav IMO.
John Williamson
Roar Rookie
Yes that is very true, there are clearly certain types of players that appeal more to certain judges.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Good article. Probably the closest equivalent I can think of to Pav (from another code admittedly) is someone like Darren Lockyer – whose claim to greatness was based primarily on his durability, and also the fact he was an Australian rep at two positions, fullback and five-eighth. It’s hard sometimes to get judges to pick someone based on longevity, consistency and adaptability, as the tendency is towards guys who have inconsistent flair and brilliance – eg someone like Cyril Rioli who wins AA nominations based on about 2 hours of football each season.
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
I couldn't possible agree more, John. That fact that he continues to be overlooked in these lists is bordering on criminal. Thanks for raising this!