Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich has been ruled out of Friday night's AFL clash with Collingwood due to a foot injury.

Pavlich, who has battled knee soreness in the second half of the season, was a late withdrawal from last week's seven-point loss to Richmond.

Dockers coach Mark Harvey said Pavlich's knee problems had led to a hot spot in the skipper's foot.

"He won't play, that is it for Pav," Harvey told 6PR.

"He has developed a stress hot spot in his foot and we think it is on the back of his knee (injury).

"That is the unfortunate path, we won't see Matthew Pavlich this Friday night but having said that we have played really well in the two games we have not had him."

Pavlich has booted 67.35 in 19 appearances for the Dockers this season.

The 26-year-old has also averaged 18 possessions a game, spending large chunks of games roaming through the midfield.

Meanwhile, Harvey expressed his surprise at Cameron Schwab's appointment as chief executive of Melbourne.

When Schwab left his post at Fremantle he said he was not interested in the role at the Demons, but has since been talked into the role.

"My last conversation with him, he was going to consider maybe something with the AFL or maybe the two new franchises," Harvey said.

"At that stage Melbourne was not in the picture, but they have obviously been able to attract Cameron back to his old stomping ground.

"He was also pretty close with Jim Stynes, Kelly O'Donnell and those sorts of guys, they have got a big job ahead of them."

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