In a scrappy arm wrestle, the contest was made tougher due to hard rain and strong winds, Pavlich said the team’s desperation to make sure stalwart Shaun McManus celebrated his 200th match with a win was testament to the playing group.
“It was a really gritty and hard fought win,” Pavlich said on Monday.
“Hopefully we have learnt from games in the past where maybe we might have let that one slip or not been in a position to win the game, so it was good from that point of view.
“When you are playing Adelaide in any conditions, let alone the conditions that were there yesterday.....it was just a really hard fought win.
“To see the guys play that way, and in particular Troy Cook, Dean Solomon and Luke Webster, to play the way they did in those conditions and to stand up for Shaunny Mac was tremendous.
“There was no doubt it was an emotional day for the playing group and Shaunny Mac, I’m sure was in the guys’ minds throughout the game.”
With small forward Jeff Farmer being suspended by the club until round 13, Pavlich said there were several options to replace the 29-year-old in the forward line, including an impressive South Fremantle young gun.
“Troy Cook on the weekend did a great job in the forward pressure crumbing role,” Pavlich said.
“Luke Webster has done a terrific job in the last two weeks and Dean Solomon has been there also.
“But Clayton Collard has been playing very well in the WAFL and who knows he might bob up and play well.”
With news of Farmer’s alleged incident on Saturday night breaking before Fremantle’s match with Adelaide, Pavlich said the playing group remained focussed on the clash and processed the news collectively after securing the four points. He said the group was disappointed with what had transpired.
“It’s obvious to all the players at the Fremantle Football Club what is acceptable behaviour and what isn’t and Jeff certainly broke those rules,” Pavlich said.
“I think we as a group, and the leadership group have been very clear on what is acceptable and what isn’t.
“I think the board made the right decision.”
Pavlich said he planned to touch base with Farmer later in the week to discuss the matter.
“Jeff has got a few things he has to patch up,” Pavlich said.
“I think before he comes back to this team he has to meet the requirements that are important that we set in place – especially the leadership group – that all the players adhere to.”
Fremantle now looks ahead to its round six fixture with the in form Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Sunday, a venue where Fremantle is yet to record a victory.
“We’re concerned with getting on with football now and making sure that we play the best footy we can and control what we can control from this point forward,” Pavlich said.
