SLOW START: Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich has kicked 2.6 in the first three games of the season. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow
FREMANTLE midfielder Michael Barlow has dismissed scrutiny over Matthew Pavlich's form as "unwarranted", saying the Dockers skipper was still proving his worth in the team.
Pavlich failed to hit the scoreboard and had just 10 touches in Friday night's narrow loss to Essendon, marking his lowest disposal count at Patersons Stadium since 2008.
It continued a circumspect opening to the season for the veteran, who has booted just 2.6 in three games on the back of a limited pre-season campaign.
But Barlow said there was no cause for concern with the skipper's form, saying scoreboard impact was not the only measure of his influence.
"I think the media scrutiny on him has been a little bit unwarranted," Barlow said this morning.
"We're right behind him. He's a great attribute for the club as a person, as a player and as a captain. The playing group couldn't be more committed to Matthew as a captain.
"His form - I think we saw last year he had a fantastic second half of the season, and there was some media scrutiny on him in the first half.
"We really value a lot of the things outsiders don't really see, and that's forward pressure and taking out their key back each week and being a main focus for the opposition.
"I think he's still supplying us with plenty of positive attributes at this point in the season."
Barlow said he was unaware that Pavlich had been jeered by some sections of the Patersons Stadium crowd after marking in the final term on Friday night.
"The fans obviously want to see him kicking six or seven goals like we all do," Barlow said.
"But we really value his pressure and his ability to bring the ball to ground.
"Friday night was one of those games where it was never going to be a walk in the park for a key forward. But the number of times he provided a contest and brought the ball to ground for guys like Chris Mayne and Michael Walters and Hayden Ballantyne was really positive for us, and I think that can't be overlooked."
Barlow will play his 50th game against Hawthorn at Launceston's Aurora Stadium on Saturday, marking a milestone of persistence for the 25-year-old.
Barlow was drafted as a mature-aged recruit and had to overcome a broken leg in his first season in 2010 to return to the top level.
"I just focus on one game at a time. I know it's an old cliché, but with my background it's a philosophy I really try and approach," Barlow said.
"I'm just really looking forward to pulling on the jumper for the Fremantle Football Club, because I'm forever indebted to the place.
"They've been fantastic for me, providing the opportunity to be an AFL footballer."
Dockers defender Luke McPharlin will be assessed later in the week after being forced out of the Bombers clash early in the first term following a bump from Paddy Ryder.
Ryder this morning accepted a three-week ban for the hit.
Follow Chris Robinson on Twitter: @CJKRobinson
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