Browne is understood to have argued that football contributed to the illness that ended his career.
He retired at the end of last season after 29 games in eight seasons and was unavailable for selection for the majority of 2009 for what the club described as “personal reasons”.
Browne battled hamstring and soft-tissue injuries throughout his career and a shoulder injury early last year, but Pavlich spoke on Wednesday about his former teammate’s ongoing battle with depression.
“Browney and I got along really well and still do,” Pavlich said. “Dealing with him individually was really important to me and we caught up quite a bit through the year and assisted him as best as possible, and so did the club, on various occasions.
“To see a player who was really popular around the group, to see him go through what he did last year, and I guess throughout his whole career with injuries and what not, was difficult.
“But from my perspective it was all about support and helping him through it.”
Browne arrived at Fremantle at the end of 2001 and Pavlich said teammates who had come through the ranks with the midfielder continued to stay in touch with him.
The 25-year-old will play with WAFL side Claremont in 2010 and Pavlich expected a fantastic year from him.
The captain added that depression was finally becoming an issue that people were standing up and taking notice of.
“It’s about people understanding it’s out there and it’s an issue that needs to be addressed a bit more in society,” he said.
