Pavlich and wife Lauren are awaiting the birth of their first child, which prevented the 31-year-old from travelling to Melbourne for last Saturday's 70-point loss to Carlton at Etihad Stadium.
The 31-year-old could play his first NAB Cup match against the Western Bulldogs in Mandurah on Saturday in a final tune-up ahead of the round one Derby on March 23.
Pavlich has recently resumed full training after undergoing a back operation in November, and McPharlin said the six-time All Australian would be ready for the club's season opener regardless of whether he was available on Saturday.
"That's a decision he can make and I think Ross (Lyon) is pretty clear that he has a very family first attitude," McPharlin said on Tuesday.
"I asked him this morning and he hasn't had [the baby] yet … any day now he keeps telling us.
"We all know Pav's a complete professional and a superstar player and he knows exactly what he needs to do to get himself going.
"Ultimately, if he doesn't end up playing I don't think it's going to affect him too much."
Pavlich, who also had off-season hip and Achilles tendon surgery, has lifted his running load in recent weeks and moved into full contest training.
If he is available against the Bulldogs, he is likely to be joined by midfielders Stephen Hill and Michael Barlow, who were rested against the Blues, and forward Chris Mayne, who injured his right ankle in the first round of the NAB Cup.
