Fremantle launches its 2010 campaign against Adelaide on March 28 before clashes with the Cats and Saints inside the first four rounds.
The side will back up from its 70-point NAB Cup semi-final loss to St Kilda with a NAB Challenge clash with the Cats at Fremantle Oval on Saturday, and Pavlich said the players would be out to learn from playing against the league’s elite.
“We’re really excited about the challenge that presents right now and obviously in rounds one to four,” the captain said from Fremantle Oval on Wednesday.
“We’ve got some great opposition coming up and we understand it’s going to be a tough start, but one we’re really looking forward to.
“It’s a great learning curve for some of our younger players, to play on some premiership stars and I think going into the season it’s a really good experience for them.”
Fremantle is likely to be bolstered by the return of a number of key players as it looks to test its full strength squad ahead of round one.
Ruckman Aaron Sandilands, David Mundy, Luke McPharlin and Chris Mayne all missed the trip to Etihad Stadium but are expected to return, while Pavlich said Des Headland (hamstring) had trained strongly on Wednesday morning.
Small forward Hayden Ballantyne (knee) also missed the Saints clash and didn’t train on Wednesday.
Pavlich said Fremantle’s structures fell down under pressure against St Kilda and the side needed to get back on track ahead of the season opener at Subiaco Oval.
“The weekend was disappointing from our perspective,” he said. “We had about 30 inside 50s and when we did go inside 50 it was really restricted - St Kilda are a great side at getting numbers back and really pressuring the ball coming in.
“Hopefully this weekend we can gel a bit better, get the ball movement the way we’d like it and penetrate the scoreboard a bit better.”
Geelong’s NAB Challenge clash against the Brisbane Lions was cancelled last week because of poor weather in Melbourne, and Pavlich said he was unsure what approach the reigning premiers would bring to Fremantle after a hard week on the track.
The match has been moved to Fremantle Oval after the AFL ruled Subiaco Oval would not be ready in time following AC/DC concerts on Saturday and Monday.
Pavlich said the players would have preferred to play at Subiaco Oval given they will launch their season at the venue in two weeks’ time, but the local atmosphere would be enjoyable.
“There’s a bit of that suburban atmosphere, that carnival atmosphere, which the old people and the people that love traditional football will absolutely enjoy,” he said.
“It’s great to be able to play here at our home deck against a great side in Geelong. We love playing here.”
Matthew Pavlich is a $404,900 forward in this year's Toyota AFL Dream Team competition
