Dockers star Pavlich to play on in 2016

Matthew Pavlich has announced he'll play on for the Fremantle Dockers in 2016 after deciding against retiring.

Matthew Pavlich of the Fremantle Dockers

Fremantle superstar Matthew Pavlich has announced he'll play on for a 17th season in 2016. (AAP)

Fremantle superstar Matthew Pavlich has announced he'll play on for a 17th season in 2016.

The Dockers skipper, who is the club's record appearance holder with 335 games, took time away from the game to consider his future following the AFL preliminary final defeat by Hawthorn last month.

But the club revealed late on Wednesday that the 33-year-old will go around again after signing a contract extension until the end of next year.

"While I can still play, I will choose to play," Pavlich said.

"It's a decision I took very seriously. Retiring and playing on were toing and froing in my mind.

"It didn't necessarily come to me straight away. I had thorough discussions with (coach) Ross Lyon and (general manager) Chris Bond and they were so supportive and gave me the time and space I needed.

"I needed to ensure the decision being made was the right one and it suited the football club, myself and my family.

"I had some really good conversations with my wife, Lauren and, more recently, with my dad."

Pavlich said the time away was crucial in coming to his decision.

"To get the time away, get away from football, get away from Perth and really understand what I value and what I want to achieve in this last season was critical," he said.

Lloyd said Pavlich's decision was exciting for the club and its supporters.

"Matthew is a tremendous player and an outstanding leader," he said.

"He has been a champion player for this club. The club was happy to afford Matthew the time to consider his decision and he is 100 per cent committed to playing on and were really excited about that."


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Source: AAP


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