Lyon and Pavlich both qualified for life membership automatically by playing or coaching in a total of 300 games. Each reached the milestone during the 2012 season.
Lyon played 129 games with Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears, before he took up assistant coaching roles at Richmond, Carlton and Sydney.
He was senior coach at St Kilda from 2007 to 2011, which included three grand final appearances (one drawn in 2010). Lyon joined Fremantle at the end of the 2011 season.
Demetriou said Lyon had proved himself as a great coach, both at St Kilda and now at Fremantle.
“He’s thoroughly deserving of life membership and I’m thrilled that I had the opportunity to present it to him,” the AFL CEO said.
“He’s also been a significant contributor to the game as a player, and he served a great apprenticeship at the Swans, Carlton and Richmond.”
Pavlich is the greatest player in Fremantle Dockers history, having won six Doig Medals in a decorated career.
Demetriou was full of praise for the Freo captain, who has played 282 games since debuting in 2000.
“He’s been one of the great legends of this football club,” he said.
“The way he’s carried himself off the field and his contribution to the AFLPA and the laws committee, he’s such a respected figure.
“You can’t ask for much more from a player, he’s just about the all-round package.”
