Source: perthnow.com.au

FREMANTLE captain Matthew Pavlich has thrown his weight behind Mark Harvey as the coach to build the young Dockers toward finals.

Harvey also has the full backing and faith of all Dockers players and is growing as a coach, according to Pavlich.

Harvey is out of contract at the end of season 2010 and confronts a horrendous fixture draw in a bid to build on six wins in each of his past two years as coach.

Ironically, Harvey locks horns with Melbourne coach Dean Bailey in today's first round NAB Cup clash at Subiaco.

The Demons' coach is also out of contract at the end of this season but is widely tipped to get an extension before the start of the home-and-away season.

The Demons have finished last in each of the past two seasons with three and four wins.

Pavlich has declared his own allegiance to Fremantle despite not committing to sign a new contract beyond the end of this season.

Pavlich, 28, is adamant he has not yet considered whether to extend his distinguished Dockers career into what would most likely be his final contract.

"I accept that for whatever reason there is going to be at least some speculation on me throughout the year," Pavlich said.

"The least of my worries at the moment is a contract.

"We need to be concerned about getting ready for the season ahead."

Pavlich concedes that Fremantle's fortunes this season could be defined in the opening month when the Dockers front a horror start to their campaign with games against Adelaide at home, Essendon at Etihad Stadium followed by powerhouses Geelong (home) and St Kilda away.

"I generally look at things in blocks of four games, I haven't looked at our overall draw," Pavlich said.

"It presents a wonderful opportunity if we're able to come out of that month with some really good results that can really set us up for a big season.

"We look forward to taking on the best sides and there's obviously some very good ones in that first four weeks.

"We're rapt that we can take that on rather than warming up into the season and it's all guns blazing in the first four weeks."

When Pavlich negotiated a new deal with Fremantle three years ago he insisted that all discussions were off limits until after the 2007 season.

"My position hasn't changed. I remain absolutely steadfast in my commitment to the club, I'm captain and I've loved my entire time whilst being at this club over 10 years," he said.

"There's no time line on it my perspective and certain from club's perspective as well.

"I've been quite public in that there is no rush."

Pavlich said Harvey was growing as a coach along with an impressive list of exciting youngsters.

"It's certainly not my call, but from what I'm seeing, absolutely," Pavlich said. "He's developed into a very good coach.

"He is able to be a person who the players can go to with all matter of issues including football obviously but outside of the game as well.

"There's nothing he has to prove to me that's for sure and the player group has got total support for Mark Harvey. We look forward to a big season under him."