FREMANTLE captain Matthew Pavlich is a "complete professional" and won't be hindered in round one if he doesn't play a NAB Cup game, according to fellow veteran Luke McPharlin.
Pavlich and wife Lauren are awaiting the birth of their first child, which prevented the 31-year-old from travelling to Melbourne for last Saturday's 70-point loss to Carlton at Etihad Stadium.
The 31-year-old could play his first NAB Cup match against the Western Bulldogs in Mandurah on Saturday in a final tune-up ahead of the round one Derby on March 23.
Pavlich, who was at the club on Tuesday, has recently resumed full training after undergoing a back operation in November.
McPharlin said the six-time All Australian would be ready for the club's season opener regardless of whether he was available on Saturday.
"That's a decision he can make and I think Ross (Lyon) is pretty clear that he has a very family-first attitude," McPharlin said on Tuesday.
"I asked him this morning and he hasn't had [the baby] yet … any day now he keeps telling us.
"We all know Pav's acomplete professional and a superstar player and he knows exactly what he needs to do to get himself going.
"Ultimately, if he doesn't end up playing I don't think it's going to affect him too much."
Pavlich, who also had off-season hip and Achilles tendon surgery, has lifted his running load in recent weeks and moved into full contest training.
If he is available against the Bulldogs, he is likely to be joined by midfielders Stephen Hill and Michael Barlow, who were rested against the Blues, and forward Chris Mayne, who injured his right ankle in the first round of the NAB Cup.
McPharlin said Saturday's clash against the Bulldogs would be important to rectify a disappointing effort against Carlton that saw Fremantle lose the contested possessions (154-115).
"It seems to be mostly an attitudinal thing," McPharlin said of the loss.
"They were first to the ball and they wanted it more.
"We came up against a team that wanted to compete and were really prepared to have a red-hot go and we clearly weren't.
"It's not ideal to be thumped by 70 points … but we've got a game against the Western Bulldogs and we think the attitude can be fixed pretty quickly."
McPharlin has played in all of Fremantle's NAB Cup matches and the veteran said he was happy with his preparation for his 14th season.
An All Australian last year and contracted until the end of the 2014 season, he said he was confident he had more good football left in him.
"It certainly helps to be managed at this stage of my career and know that I don't have to be absolutely blistering on the training track," he said.
"Just being able to really get my head around performing on game day, I think that I could continue on for a couple more years yet.
"I certainly feel pretty good."
Matthew Pavlich is a forward in NAB AFL Fantasy. He averaged 95 points in 2012. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy Hub.
Nathan Schmook is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan
