It has been a frustrating 2013 for Pavlich. The six-time All Australian has managed to play just nine matches this season due to injury and suspension.
He had never missed more than four games in any previous season in his incredible 14-year career.
Pavlich required surgery on the plantaris tendon in his foot after the Dockers round three loss to Essendon, which kept him out until round 15.
He kicked two goals against St Kilda and three a week later against West Coast, but was forced to spend three more weeks on the sideline after he was suspended for forceful front-on contact with Mitch Brown.
Pavlich has played each of the last four matches of the home and away season, kicking 11 goals, and says he feels in reasonable touch.
"I would like to think I am pretty close but you never absolutely know until you actually get to that point," Pavlich said.
"I’ve obviously missed a fair bit of footy this year but I think people do, generally externally, think that when you’re not playing you’re resting. But you’re still training and working really hard.
"I’m just excited about getting out there on Saturday and looking forward to a finals series."
The 31-year-old was one of the few senior players to play in the Dockers 71-point loss to St Kilda at Etihad Stadium. The veteran says the loss is still important to dissect despite the fact that 13 senior players were absent from the team.
"We still review the game," Pavlich said.
"It’s negligent on our behalf to just put it away straight away because there’s some lessons from that game individually and collectively.
"But it makes it a little bit easier given the fact there’s a final this weekend to focus on."
