Midfielder Tom Sheridan was also selected, while Hayden Ballantyne and Stephen Hill were named, despite being in doubt during the week.
Hayden Crozier and Clancee Pearce were omitted and Luke McPharlin could not be considered because of a quad injury he sustained in round 7.
The emergencies for the game at Patersons Stadium will be Clancee Pearce, Matt Taberner and Garrick Ibbotson.
Fremantle general manager of player management Chris Bond said Hill and Ballantyne trained strongly.
“They have trained well all week,” he said.
“We were a bit concerned with ‘Hilly’ after the game (against Port) but he’s trained really solidly all week and we knew in the middle of the week that he was going to play.
“Hayden as well, he’s someone that we wouldn’t have taken any risk with and he’s been made available to play.”
Bond said the addition of Dawson was important given All Australian defender Luke McPharlin was still out.
“We think it’s really important, he’s one of our key backs and he’s played some great footy for us since he’s been here,” he said.
“But in saying that, we need to make sure that all our pressure all over the ground is really solid to help those players out (in defence).”
Tom Sheridan has been in and out of the team this season but gets another chance against the Cats.
“He’s gone back and played some excellent football at Peel and been able to generate a fair bit of ball and been able to use it well,” Bond said.
“He just needs to get his opportunity, which he’s going to get, and he needs to continue to perform.
“Once you perform, history shows that you’ll stay in the team.”
Bond said Pavlich was an outstanding person and player and a credit to the club.
“Everyone in the AFL acknowledges what an outstanding player he’s been,” he said.
“A lot of us have been really privileged to be involved with him because he’s a real champion of the AFL.
“We wish him all the best and we’re hoping and expecting that we’re going to give some great effort for him on the weekend.”
