Has there ever been a greater Docker than Matthew Pavlich??

Personally, I don’t think so. The time has arrived for Pav to play his 350^th game with the Fremantle Dockers when they take on Sydney Swans at Domain Stadium on Sunday. As a Dockers supporter, I am feeling a little bit emotional this week about Pavlich’s milestone. Maybe because I know the end of this season will be the end of his playing career, or maybe just looking back over the years at what an amazing player, leader and role model Pav has been for the club. Pavlich will become the first Docker to reach this milestone, and just the 15^th player in AFL history. I saw him in town this week and there is no denying the aura that surrounds him, even away from the club, just on the street being a normal person. #Legend

Let’s get real, no one is really focusing on who wins or loses this game, except Sydney I suppose… Everyone just wants Pav to have a ripper game and enjoy the little time he has left out on the field in the purple and white. I feel a little bit sorry for fellow Docker Lee Spurr, who also plays a milestone game this weekend- his 100^th! Imagine having to share your 100^th game milestone with Pavlich’s 350^th… A bit stiff! Congratulations to Spurr – he has played 100 games and yet I feel like he is still improving from week to week, which is what I like to see.

Let’s take a look at some of Matt Pavlich’s highlights over the years:

The last time these two teams met was in the qualifying final of the 2015 season, after Freo had a great year and finished as the minor premiers. Both teams are very strong in the tackling department this season, the Swans are sitting on top of the table and the Dockers are sitting fourth. Defensive pressure is what Fremantle will have to focus on this weekend to stop the likes of Swans power forward Buddy Franklin.

There has been some shock changes to the Dockers line-up this week with rising star Connor Blakely being left out of the side, along with Nick Suban. I was impressed with Blakely last week, and feel that he has been good since his debut, so I was a little bit surprised to hear that he had been dropped.

I would love to see the Fremantle Dockers cause an upset and get the win this weekend, in front of the home crowd. How great would that be for Pavlich! Unfortunately, I think Sydney will be too strong and will be playing to keep their spot in the top 4.

I am tipping Sydney Swans to beat the Fremantle Dockers by 15 points.

Let us know your #AFLFreoSwans predictions at @TweetPerth @EmmaLianaPayne