Fremantle forward Matthew Pavlich comes into Friday night’s clash against Collingwood having kicked seven goals in his past two games, but he was quick to credit his recent form to the often-unseen hard work of his teammates.
 
When asked of what he most admires about his smaller forward teammates such as Chris Mayne, Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters, Pavlich responded decisively.
 
“Their hard work,” he said.
 
“I’ve really had the fruits of their labour up the ground.
 
“Their intensity, tackling and pressure is just outstanding and it’s a pleasure to play with them.”

Pavlich, who has played at the MCG only 32 times in his 347-game career said Freo would need to continue their impressive ball movement of recent weeks if they’re to defeat the Magpies at their home ground.
 
“Forward line work and key forwards are a by-product of what’s going on up the ground,” he said.
 
“(It’s about) all the hard work of winning the ball back off the opposition and being able to move it in quickly, with precision and it makes our life easier.”
 
First-year player Darcy Tucker spoke earlier in the week of the excitement of playing Friday night football at the ‘G’, but Pavlich was confident the big stage wouldn’t be too much for Freo’s youngsters.
 
“It’s really inspiring as a senior player to see the hard work they’ve put in,” he said.
 
“I’m so pleased for them and to see them believe they can be strong contributors at the AFL level is outstanding.”