Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich has thrown his support behind Shaun McManus amid mounting pressure for the inaugural Docker to retire from AFL football.

McManus, 32, collected five disposals against Brisbane on the weekend and spent just 43 per cent of the match on the field.

The 225-game veteran has averaged just 11 possessions per game in eight matches this season and his disposal of the football continues to let him down.

But Pavlich said McManus was still a vital part of the side.

"Shaun is very much amongst our best 22 and I think he has a lot to prove and a huge part to play in the rest of the season," Pavlich said.

"He's been one of our best servants at the club. He'll make a decision (on when it's time to retire) and I'm sure it will be the right one.

"I think he has got a huge amount of time left at this club and hopefully that's the case.

Pavlich said McManus had been coping well with the pressure.

"Shaun's one of those guys that's ultra positive," he said.

"I thought his game time yesterday was down for whatever reason, so I think the impact that he would have liked to have had wasn't possible.

"But Shaun's fine, he's part of our leadership group and he exudes a very exciting and positive manner around the club."

Pavlich has been a shining light in an otherwise dull season for the Dockers, but the captain's goalkicking has let him down at crucial times this year.

However, Pavlich was confident both he and his teammates could turn their fortunes around, starting with Saturday's clash against North Melbourne.

"There's a quote that someone actually threw me during the week - failure cannot cope with perseverance," Pavlich said.

"And I'm not one of those people that's big on quotes and cliches but it actually rang pretty true. If I keep on doing my practice and my preparation along with the other guys, then we'll get this thing right."

But the Dockers (1-10) could face the Kangaroos without dashing defender Heath Black, who has been given a two-match suspension by the AFL match review panel for a level four striking offence against Brisbane's Troy Selwood.

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