Six-time All-Australian and club best and fairest winner, Matthew Pavlich will lead Fremantle to its first ever home preliminary final this weekend.

With a maiden Grand Final berth on the line for the West Australian club, it's the reigning premiers the Sydney Swans that stand in the way of Pavlich's men.

After an extended period on the sidelines mid-season through injury, Pavlich's return to the field and form has been well-timed with the final weeks of September.

Speaking exclusively to BulldogsTV in his finals preview series, Jordan Roughead acknowledges that the Dockers’ captain will be a critical cog in the Docker's machine if they are to topple the Swans.

“Early in the year we were almost lucky because he was just coming back from a few injuries… I think now he’s really back at his peak fitness.”

Roughead shared his admiration for Pavlich’s tireless work ethic. 

“He can go on a 100 or 150 meter lead just to get the footy… a work rate like that makes it very, very difficult to defend.”

“He draws the footy. He’s the guy you want to kick the ball to.”

Fremantle will face-off against defending premiers Sydney this Saturday night at Patersons Stadium, aiming to create history and progress through to that final Saturday in September for the first time.