Retiring Fremantle forward Matthew Pavlich is confident the team can bounce back from a disappointing 2016 season.
The six-time Doig medallist had high praise for senior coach Ross Lyon and said that “the club was in good hands.”
“The faith I have in Ross (Lyon) and (Steve) Bond as the heads of our footy department and that faith has never been stronger,” Pavlich said.
“Steve Rosich and his management team and the board are incredibly united.”
Pavlich praised the current playing group and said that despite the team’s on-field performance, the team was ‘rock solid’ off the field.
“The nucleus of the playing group are really driven, they’re passionate,” Pavlich said.
“On the field we’re struggling, but off the field we’re rock solid.
“With a really strong preseason they can bounce again quickly.”
Pavlich said young key forwards Michael Apeness and Matt Taberner had promising futures ahead of them.
“We’ve got two developing key forwards here in Matthew Taberner and Michael Apeness,” Pavlich said.
“They’re bigger and stronger and can run better than me, they’ve got a fair head start in their own career.
“They’ve got some things to work on, they’re young players.
“I’ve got faith in the coaches that are helping them and I’ve got faith in the two of them that they can really progress.”
Pavlich will play his 353rd and final game against the Western Bulldogs this Sunday at Domain Stadium at 2:40pm.
