MATTHEW Pavlich says he would love to see Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow remain at the Dockers next year given his service to the club.
Barlow underwent season-ending shoulder surgery on Tuesday to repair the AC joint that he damaged in Friday night's loss to Geelong at Domain Stadium.
The 28-year-old's future has been a source of speculation. He is out of contract at the end of the season.
The Dockers are embarking on a significant rebuild and look set to be heavily involved in the draft and trade period as they seek to turn over their list and bring in young talent.
Barlow was dropped mid-season, mainly to give an opportunity to second-year midfielder Connor Blakely.
He disagreed with the decision and responded with two very strong performances in the WAFL to win his place back in the Dockers side.
He then delivered three outstanding performances in an unfamiliar run-with role in the Dockers' only three wins of the season. But he suffered a finger injury in round 14 against Collingwood that required surgery and saw him miss the round 16 clash with Melbourne.
Barlow gathered 17 touches in the first half against Geelong before the shoulder injury ended his night and subsequently his season.
Pavlich said he would love to see Barlow remain part of the Dockers' squad next season but he was careful to note that it was not a decision he could influence in any way.
"I think any player that you have significant investment with, someone like Michael who has in essence died for the team as well on a few occasions, any player would love to see that, but that's not my decision," Pavlich said.
"We all love Mick and he puts his heart and soul into everything he does here.
"Hopefully it comes through. But again it's not my position to make that comment."
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon was coy when asked about Barlow's future on Channel Seven on Tuesday night. He said Barlow's immediate priority was to recover from the surgery.
"He's one of our special players," Lyon said.
"First things first we just want to make sure he's OK.
"We understand we're all under some pressure here and there's list management and list reviewing going on.
"The next six weeks will determine a lot of what occurs for all of us obviously."
Pavlich is set to retire at the end of the season but a number of the Dockers' senior players look set to be part of the rebuild in 2017 with David Mundy, Aaron Sandilands, Michael Johnson, Zac Dawson and Danyle Pearce all contracted for next season.
The Dockers have four players, Chris Mayne, Matt de Boer, Clancee Pearce and Zac Clarke, who are set to become unrestricted free agents at the end of the season.
Barlow has not qualified for free agency having played 126 games in seven seasons after he was recruited as a mature-age rookie in 2010.
