BATTLE ON: Essendon's Jake Carlisle and Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich compete for the ball. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow
FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon has denied champion forward Matthew Pavlich is playing injured, saying the skipper was only human after being held scoreless by Essendon defender Jake Carlisle on Friday night.
Pavlich, who had 10 disposals and took two marks, wielded little influence as the Dockers were run down by an emotion-charged Bombers outfit.
Essendon came from six goals down at half-time to record a thrilling four-point win at Patersons Stadium, 10.12 (72) to 9.14 (68). Fremantle added 2.7 in the last quarter as Dockers Paul Duffield and Chris Mayne both missed shots on goal in the final minute.
Mayne, who kicked three goals, was visibly distressed following the match after his left foot snap from 15m out hit the post with 21sec remaining.
Pavlich, 31, had an interrupted summer following surgery on his hip, calf and back and has kicked just two goals after three rounds.
The 282-game veteran has looked a shadow of the player whose six-goal haul almost single-handedly drove the Dockers to their stunning elimination final triumph over Geelong last September.
Lyon said Pavlich was not carrying an injury and praised Carlisle's fine blanketing job.
"I'm sure Matthew wouldn't want to make excuses in the media alluding to injury," Lyon said. "I mean Matthew's human. He's not going to be at his best every night and he'll work through it.
"I don't think he was at his best tonight, but that's unusual.
"I don't think it's paying due respect to the opposition and how well they played, and in particular his opponent."
A Fremantle assistant coach suggested moving Pavlich into the midfield during the game but Lyon overruled, saying his days of pinch-hitting on ball were now over.
"It was thrown up in the box, but I don't like the call," Lyon said. "He's a power forward and an exceptional one and that's where we're going to keep him. I think he's paid his dues for this club. I think it's time for everyone else to stand up."
Defender Luke McPharlin pulled up well after being concussed by a high bump from Essendon's Paddy Ryder in the first quarter. Fremantle will monitor McPharlin closely this week but is likely to be available for the trip to Launceston to face Hawthorn on Saturday.
Despite the controlling umpire seeing the incident and calling play on, Ryder is likely to be cited by the Match Review Panel for the bump. Replays showed his shoulder connecting with McPharlin's chin.
Nick Kommer will also come under scrutiny for his clumsy shepherd which split Kepler Bradley's head open in the first term.
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