The skipper will be joined by teammate Chris Tarrant, who also missed Fremantle's intra-club match and three-point NAB Cup loss to Richmond 10 days ago.
But coach Mark Harvey said despite the big name inclusions, the side that travels to Canberra will have a young look about it.
"Our group of players we are taking to Canberra will be a group of very inexperienced players," Harvey said on Wednesday.
"We have made some significant changes to the group that we played against Richmond.
"[Pavlich and Tarrant] are playing this week. Matthew is back on track and he will play the next three games, which will top him off nicely."
Underlining Fremantle's youthful approach to Saturday's NAB Challenge fixture is the inclusion of 18-year-old ruck prospect Zac Clarke.
With Aaron Sandilands and Kepler Bradley both being rested, the 203cm Clarke will share ruck duties with Daniel Gilmore.
Teams will be confirmed on Thursday, but with Hamish McIntosh, Drew Petrie and David Hale all capable of rucking for North Melbourne it shapes as a challenging debut for the lightly built Clarke.
"He is a young kid we have found out a lot about in the last six or seven weeks since we have had him, and he has got some exceptional talent," Harvey said.
"But it is going to take a long time for his body to be able to handle the rigours of rucking.
"We might get a pleasant surprise on Saturday, or we might find out exactly where he is at."
Harvey is likely to travel at least ten young players yet to debut at AFL level.
Draftee Hayden Ballantyne will not make the trip and is in doubt for the round one clash with the Western Bulldogs as he recovers from wrist surgery.
The side will now take part in an additional NAB Challenge fixture on March 7 against West Coast, with all funds raised to assist those affected by the Victorian bushfires.
Dream Team watch – Matthew Pavlich is rated a $440,000 forward in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.
