Fremantle skipper and AFL Players’ Association president Matthew Pavlich has been hailed as the driving force in winning his football club respect in the AFL.

Fellow Fremantle champion Paul Haselby led the tributes to Pavlich at a testimonial dinner in Perth on Friday night.

“Pav is a fantastic loyal and caring person. He’s been a fantastic player for such a long period of time.” – Leigh brown

“He’s given so much to the Fremantle Football Club,” Haselby said.

“He is the reason Fremantle is spoken about as being respected now.”

Pavlich, a six-time Doig Medal winner and the first Docker to reach 300 games, used the night to thank many and reflect on his career to date.

But he assured the 1000-strong crowd that his job isn’t done with the lure of a famous premiership driving him through the twilight of his career.

“We’re searching for something bigger than where we are at right now,” he said.

“I’m not satisfied and I know you’re not.

“If we’re trying to get where we all desperately want, it needs to be at the highest end and highest level.

“I’m confident we can do it.”

AFL 2006 Rd 15 - Collingwood v Fremantle

Shaun McManus, who was at the club when Pavlich was drafted in 1999, said presenting him with his jumper before his 300th game last year was one of his fondest memories

“There was no better feeling in my career than standing in the race with you, it was certainly one of my great career highlights.”

Leigh Brown, who arrived at the Dockers in the same draft as Pavlich in 1999, said the pair had formed a lasting friendship.

“Pav is a fantastic loyal and caring person,” he said.

“He’s been a fantastic player for such a long period of time.”