From the Archives: Pav makes an early impact
As Matthew Pavlich prepares to make his 350th appearance for Fremantle this weekend, let's look back to when his AFL career started.
Round 5, 2000, was a normal footy weekend like any other. Mark Ricciuto pushed Adelaide past Brisbane, Wayne Carey and future Freo captain Peter Bell inspired North Melbourne to an eight-point victory over the Swans, and Nathan Buckley helped Collingwood overcome the Western Bulldogs.
The Melbourne Demons flew west for their clash with the eighth-placed Fremantle Dockers at the WACA Ground. Among their team was Jeff Farmer, would move to Fremantle at the end of 2001, Shane Woewodin, who would go in to win the 2000 Brownlow Medal and powerful forward David Neitz.
The Demons faced a Fremantle team featuring fan favourites Shaun McManus, Paul Haselby – who made his debut earlier that year – Tony Modra, Shane Parker and Justin Longmuir.
However, one player was yet to make an appearance. Future six-time All-Australian, six-time club champion and captain Matthew Pavlich.
What the AFL world thinks of Matthew Pavlich
The 19-year-old from Woodville-West Torrens, who was selected with pick four in the 1999 AFL draft, was set to make his debut for his new club alongside the experienced Modra in the forward line. He wasn’t to disappoint.
Fremantle were quick out of the blocks, with Modra kicking three goals in the first five minutes of the game to put Freo in front.
Pavlich then stepped into the fray, scoring two majors with his first two kicks, giving Fremantle a commanding 5.3 (33) to 1.3 (9) quarter time lead.
The second quarter saw Freo extend the margin to 28 points, thanks to Modra’s fourth major, but that was to be the highlight. The Demons took control of the match thereafter, kicking 13 goals to four, and emerged 14.22 (106) to 10.15 (75) winners.
Despite the result, Pavlich’s debut performance was solid, notching 10 possessions, four kicks and three marks to go with his two goals.
Fremantle coach Damian Drum spoke post match of the forward’s “very good” performance, and “exciting” potential.
Pavlich would play out the remainder of the season in the seniors and kick 12 goals, as his team tracked towards what was then a club-high 12th-placed finish.
Melbourne reached the Grand Final, but fell 60-points short of a James Hird-inspired Essendon.
Fremantle's game against Sydney at Domain Stadium on Sunday is proudly presented by Channel 7 Perth.
