For both Fremantle and Sydney, this weekend’s match bears particular significance.

Here’s what to note when the two teams meet at Domain Stadium on Sunday.

Pav by the numbers
3 – The number of seasons, including his first, in which he has missed more than two matches.

4 – The amount of times he has kicked eight goals or more in an AFL match. In his most dominant performance, the forward slotted nine majors against Carlton in 2005.

6 – The number of All-Australian jumpers he has earned. The former skipper has also won six Doig medals as the club’s best and fairest player and played every match in six of 17 seasons.

8 – The amount of times Pavlich has won Fremantle’s goalkicking award.

Fremantle and Sydney by the numbers:

 1 – The amount of draws in Fremantle’s history. In round eight 2013, Freo and Sydney tied scores when a Michael Johnson set shot was marked on the line by Swans utility Sam Reid with seconds to spare.

31 – The number of times the two sides have met in a premiership match. Sydney currently holds the edge with 16 wins to Freo’s 14. In four finals, the teams are evenly split.

48 – The amount of consecutive games Swans duo Dan Hannebery and Josh Kennedy have played.

88 – Fremantle’s average score against the Swans.

90 – Sydney’s average score against Freo.

26,520 – The average attendance for matches between the two teams.

61,373 – The largest crowd to attend a Fremantle v Sydney match, at Stadium Australia in the 2006 preliminary final.

From the Archives: Pav makes an early impact

Spurr notches the ton
In addition to Pav’s 350^th, Freo will also salute defender Lee Spurr when he runs out for match 100. The defender has missed just nine matches since making his debut in round 6, 2012 and was this year voted into the team’s leadership group by his peers. If his lead is one to be followed, nothing will be left on the field come Sunday night. 

Beyond the stars
Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands, Nat Fyfe, Lance Franklin, Dan Hannebery and Josh Kennedy are all household names for the average football fan. Sunday’s match, however, may present a pertinent glimpse into the future. In round 18, Fremantle and Sydney collectively fielded 14 players with under 30 games experience. Surprisingly, nine were Swans. Though the focus this week may be on the achievements of Pavlich and Franklin, the likes of Lachie Weller, Dean Towers and Tom Papley have shown enough to suggest they’re going to be around for years to come. Throw in the names of Lachie Neale, Luke Parker and Gary Rohan, and the future looks enticing.

The ruck battle
Both teams have had their rucking troubles in 2016. Fremantle’s Aaron Sandilands, Jon Griffin, Zac Clarke and Jack Hannath have all battled issues with fitness and form in 2016, while Sydney have been cruelled by injuries to big men Kurt Tippett and Callum Sinclair. Clarke looked more assured last week, as did Swans fourth-gamer Sam Naismith, whose agility and fitness matches his predecessors. Hannath is a chance to line up on Sunday, while John Longmire may call upon Toby Nankervis to assist in winning first possession.

The top-eight logjam
Though well placed in third position, a loss for Sydney on could define their season. The Swans are among a glut of six teams with 12 wins. Less than seven percentage points separate the second-placed Giants from the sixth-placed Crows, and while John Longmire’s men look strong on paper, Fremantle will head into the match with more than enough motivation to generate a stirring win. If they’re not switched on, the Swans could conceivable forego a preliminary final at home for an elimination final interstate.

Fremantle's game against Sydney at Domain Stadium on Sunday is proudly presented by Channel 7 Perth.