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Club Legend
From today's Age
Pavlich a huge disappointment
By Robert Walls
April 19, 2005
Matthew Pavlich is fast becoming a protected species at Fremantle . . . given the easy midfield gigs when he has the size to shake up the opposition.
Photo: Getty Images
Fremantle is in serious trouble. It came to Melbourne at the weekend as a warm favourite and left ice cold.
I went to the MCG on Sunday expecting big things from the purple haze. The Dockers' coach has told us to feel this way. But not once in their 10-year history have I seen them live play well. After the heavy loss to the Tigers, I wrote these things: "Selfish", "indirect", "uninspiring", "don't dare to win", "can't win finals".
The player I most wanted to see was Matthew Pavlich. Some regard him as a superstar, but he isn't. He is not in the same league as Jonathan Brown, Nick Riewoldt, Barry Hall or Warren Tredrea.
For years, Pavlich has been protected. Given easy midfield gigs. This year, he has been positioned rightfully at centre half-forward. At 192 centimetres and 100 kilograms, he is the second biggest player on his team's list. It is time he led from the front.
On Sunday, Pavlich was a huge disappointment. Not only did he not play well, he accepted it. His opponent was Ray Hall, a tall, no-more-than-handy spare-parts Tiger defender. After taking two marks in the first eight minutes of the game, Pavlich did not touch the ball for the next 60 minutes of play. He chose not to be involved, and that's simply not good enough.
If his first lead was ignored, there was no urgency to double back and go again. There were some high risky floating balls that marking attempts could have been made at. Had he not marked the ball, Pavlich's size would have at least shaken a few Tigers, but no, these opportunities were let pass.
Midfield teammates Josh Carr and Paul Hasleby were driven crazy by relentless taggers. A Pavlich hip-and-shoulder on their opponents would have helped. But no. There were 25 centre bounces. That's 25 opportunities for Pavlich to sprint in off the line to impose his will in a physical way. Again, no.
The most damning aspect of Pavlich's game, and a lot of his teammates', was that at game's end, he wasn't spent. He easily could have played another four quarters. The Dockers don't dare to win. They froze a couple of weeks ago in Tasmania to let the Saints sneak a one-point win.
Captain Peter Bell spends far too much time in the back half receiving easy ball. Too many Dockers rate their performance on possessions accumulated. In the third quarter on Sunday, the Dockers rattled up 99 disposals. The team scored one point.
Tiger coach Terry Wallace, after the game, said this of the Dockers: "With guys put behind the ball, you can't win like that." He's right. Overall, the Dockers had more kicks and marks than Richmond. But they kicked only seven goals and lost by 48 points. At the moment, they are going nowhere.
In the interests of the team, Pavlich should have been moved in an effort to get something out of him. A stint in the ruck or at full-back to relieve the undersized Shane Parker, who was being mauled by Matthew Richardson, were obvious changes.
Paul Medhurst only plays out of a forward pocket. He has become one-dimensional. The coach needs to try him elsewhere. And Jeff Farmer's undisciplined acts continue to be tolerated.
On Sunday, this team played without any spirit. It seems some players may be getting preferential treatment. If so, no wonder morale appears low.
Is this fare criticism? Should we make a re-newed bid for him? Do we want him?
Pavlich a huge disappointment
By Robert Walls
April 19, 2005
Matthew Pavlich is fast becoming a protected species at Fremantle . . . given the easy midfield gigs when he has the size to shake up the opposition.
Photo: Getty Images
Fremantle is in serious trouble. It came to Melbourne at the weekend as a warm favourite and left ice cold.
I went to the MCG on Sunday expecting big things from the purple haze. The Dockers' coach has told us to feel this way. But not once in their 10-year history have I seen them live play well. After the heavy loss to the Tigers, I wrote these things: "Selfish", "indirect", "uninspiring", "don't dare to win", "can't win finals".
The player I most wanted to see was Matthew Pavlich. Some regard him as a superstar, but he isn't. He is not in the same league as Jonathan Brown, Nick Riewoldt, Barry Hall or Warren Tredrea.
For years, Pavlich has been protected. Given easy midfield gigs. This year, he has been positioned rightfully at centre half-forward. At 192 centimetres and 100 kilograms, he is the second biggest player on his team's list. It is time he led from the front.
On Sunday, Pavlich was a huge disappointment. Not only did he not play well, he accepted it. His opponent was Ray Hall, a tall, no-more-than-handy spare-parts Tiger defender. After taking two marks in the first eight minutes of the game, Pavlich did not touch the ball for the next 60 minutes of play. He chose not to be involved, and that's simply not good enough.
If his first lead was ignored, there was no urgency to double back and go again. There were some high risky floating balls that marking attempts could have been made at. Had he not marked the ball, Pavlich's size would have at least shaken a few Tigers, but no, these opportunities were let pass.
Midfield teammates Josh Carr and Paul Hasleby were driven crazy by relentless taggers. A Pavlich hip-and-shoulder on their opponents would have helped. But no. There were 25 centre bounces. That's 25 opportunities for Pavlich to sprint in off the line to impose his will in a physical way. Again, no.
The most damning aspect of Pavlich's game, and a lot of his teammates', was that at game's end, he wasn't spent. He easily could have played another four quarters. The Dockers don't dare to win. They froze a couple of weeks ago in Tasmania to let the Saints sneak a one-point win.
Captain Peter Bell spends far too much time in the back half receiving easy ball. Too many Dockers rate their performance on possessions accumulated. In the third quarter on Sunday, the Dockers rattled up 99 disposals. The team scored one point.
Tiger coach Terry Wallace, after the game, said this of the Dockers: "With guys put behind the ball, you can't win like that." He's right. Overall, the Dockers had more kicks and marks than Richmond. But they kicked only seven goals and lost by 48 points. At the moment, they are going nowhere.
In the interests of the team, Pavlich should have been moved in an effort to get something out of him. A stint in the ruck or at full-back to relieve the undersized Shane Parker, who was being mauled by Matthew Richardson, were obvious changes.
Paul Medhurst only plays out of a forward pocket. He has become one-dimensional. The coach needs to try him elsewhere. And Jeff Farmer's undisciplined acts continue to be tolerated.
On Sunday, this team played without any spirit. It seems some players may be getting preferential treatment. If so, no wonder morale appears low.
Is this fare criticism? Should we make a re-newed bid for him? Do we want him?
