Matthew Pavlich (born 31 December 1981) is an Australian Rules legend and, as long-time captain of the Fremantle Dockers, the heart and soul of AFL football in Western Australia.
Born of Scottish, Irish and Croatian bloodlines, Matthew is a fifth-generation Australian raised in Adelaide and a product of the Woodville-West Torrens Football Club. Overlooked in the 1998 national draft, Pavlich was drafted to Fremantle in 1999 and made his AFL debut in 2000. That year was the first of 16 consecutive seasons with the Dockers, a storied era in which Matthew rose to become one of the premier centre half-forwards of the modern era.
Not only has Matthew played his entire career at Fremantle in guernsey number #29, he is a six-time best-and-fairest-winner for the club and their leading goal kicker in seven seasons. Along the way Matthew has represented his country with distinction. He has been selected in the All-Australian Team six times: in 2002 (as fullback), 2003 (half forward flank), 2005 (centre half forward), 2006 (interchange), 2007 (full forward) and 2008 (interchange). In 2002 and 2003 Matthew was a key member of the victorious Australian International Rules squads. In 2008 he represented the Dream Team in the Hall of Fame Tribute Match.
Matthew was named captain of the Fremantle Football Club on 13 December 2006 and in 2013 led his team to their first Grand Final. There, despite Matthew leading from the front as Fremantle's highest scorer, the Dockers lost the premiership to Hawthorn by 15 points. In 2014, Matthew became the first and only player from a Western Australian club to play over 300 AFL games, a feat he celebrated the same game by kicking his 600th career goal.
At the start of the 2014 season, Matthew was chosen by the AFL's other 17 captains to dress down media who had published the names of Essendon players embroiled in the peptides scandal. "As leaders of each of the playing groups, we think it's important to stand up, lend our voice and influence in condemning the mistreatment of vulnerable players," he said. "That's our responsibility (so) let's all for the moment take stock, reflect on how we'd like to be treated, both individually and collectively, and work together to continue to showcase the game, its players, its great stories and the fantastic nature in which we play it."
Away from football Matthew is married to Lauren and a proud father to Harper and Jack. He has completed a Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree at the University of Western Australia and is currently studying a postgraduate MBA.
Born of Scottish, Irish and Croatian bloodlines, Matthew is a fifth-generation Australian raised in Adelaide and a product of the Woodville-West Torrens Football Club. Overlooked in the 1998 national draft, Pavlich was drafted to Fremantle in 1999 and made his AFL debut in 2000. That year was the first of 16 consecutive seasons with the Dockers, a storied era in which Matthew rose to become one of the premier centre half-forwards of the modern era.
Not only has Matthew played his entire career at Fremantle in guernsey number #29, he is a six-time best-and-fairest-winner for the club and their leading goal kicker in seven seasons. Along the way Matthew has represented his country with distinction. He has been selected in the All-Australian Team six times: in 2002 (as fullback), 2003 (half forward flank), 2005 (centre half forward), 2006 (interchange), 2007 (full forward) and 2008 (interchange). In 2002 and 2003 Matthew was a key member of the victorious Australian International Rules squads. In 2008 he represented the Dream Team in the Hall of Fame Tribute Match.
Matthew was named captain of the Fremantle Football Club on 13 December 2006 and in 2013 led his team to their first Grand Final. There, despite Matthew leading from the front as Fremantle's highest scorer, the Dockers lost the premiership to Hawthorn by 15 points. In 2014, Matthew became the first and only player from a Western Australian club to play over 300 AFL games, a feat he celebrated the same game by kicking his 600th career goal.
At the start of the 2014 season, Matthew was chosen by the AFL's other 17 captains to dress down media who had published the names of Essendon players embroiled in the peptides scandal. "As leaders of each of the playing groups, we think it's important to stand up, lend our voice and influence in condemning the mistreatment of vulnerable players," he said. "That's our responsibility (so) let's all for the moment take stock, reflect on how we'd like to be treated, both individually and collectively, and work together to continue to showcase the game, its players, its great stories and the fantastic nature in which we play it."
Away from football Matthew is married to Lauren and a proud father to Harper and Jack. He has completed a Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree at the University of Western Australia and is currently studying a postgraduate MBA.