The former skipper is almost certainly in his final season, after being close to retiring at the end of 2015 - when he relinquished the captaincy to David Mundy.

Pavlich, 34, was restricted to just eight disposals, one mark and a goal in Saturday's loss to St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.

It was the continuation of Fremantle's epic drop-off this year, after the Dockers claimed the club's first minor premiership last season.

Pavlich has kicked just three goals in five senior appearances since round five, but says his mindset remains positive. "I'm actually in a really good head space," Pavlich told Channel Seven on Sunday, the day after the Dockers slumped to their 10th straight loss to start the season.

"If it ended on the weekend I'd walk in and be disappointed but shake Ross's [coach Ross Lyon] hand, and shake the people's hands that have been there for such a long time, and thank them for their efforts in getting me up each week, and think about the journey."

Lyon has previously ruled out a mid-season retirement for the champion, who is six games away from becoming the first Docker to play 350 games.

Pavlich maintained he was feeling good. "I'm actually relatively content, and in a lot of ways, even though I haven't been able to achieve what I really wanted to, and what we wanted to as a group, I'm very much fulfilled.

"I never thought playing 17 seasons was possible. I've been lucky in a lot of ways."

Lyon defended Pavlich on Saturday night.

"It's a difficult task. He's supporting and leading," Lyon said.

"I'm really pleased with Matthew's year. I think other people see it differently but the intangibles and the leadership is just fantastic.

"His ability to lead them and balance it up is second to none."

Fremantle face Essendon next Saturday night at Domain Stadium, in what looms as their best chance to win a game this season.

The makeshift Bombers slumped to their ninth loss from 10 starts this season after losing Saturday night's Dreamtime game to Richmond.