Pavlich re-signs with Dockers

Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich has handed his team the ultimate morale booster
heading into Friday night's semi-final clash with Geelong, re-signing with the
Dockers for the next four AFL seasons.
Pavlich ended growing speculation about his future by pledging his allegiance to
Fremantle until the end of 2014, confirming he will end his career at the Dockers.
Pavlich's uncontracted status meant he was inevitably linked to expansion club Gold
Coast, who can pick up one unsigned player from each club ahead of their AFL debut
next season.
But Fremantle were always in the box seat to retain the six-times All-Australian due
to his veteran status, which means only half of his salary will be included in the
Dockers' cap from next season.
But while Pavlich has put pen to paper, doubts still remain over the futures of
David Mundy and Chris Tarrant.
Tarrant is almost certain to return home to Victoria at the end of the year, with
Hawthorn and Carlton the front runners to snare his services.
In a final desperate bid to retain the former Pie, Fremantle have offered him an
extended off-season break and also promised him additional time in Melbourne during
the season.
Mundy, who has transformed himself into one of the AFL's elite midfielders this
season, has been linked with a move to Gold Coast or a return home to Victoria.
Fremantle will start rank outsiders against the Cats and they will need a big game
from Pavlich to cause one of the upsets of the season.
The 28-year-old, who was snared by Fremantle with pick No.4 in the 1999 national
draft, is only three games away from equalling Shane Parker's club record of 238
games.
Pavlich took over the captaincy from Peter Bell in 2007 and has undoubtedly become
the greatest player in Fremantle's 15-year AFL history, winning five club best and
fairest awards and leading the Dockers' goalkicking in seven seasons.
Apart from being one of the game's top key forwards, Pavlich has the rare ability to
go into the middle as a ruck-rover to great effect.
This season, Pavlich has booted 57 goals and averaged almost 19 possessions over his
22 games to help lead the side to a semi-final showdown with Geelong.



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