Three wins from the first 11 rounds of the AFL season is hardly pretty reading but Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich believes the Dockers are finally on the right track to achieve premiership success.

Fremantle have been plagued by injuries this year, with key players Rhys Palmer (knee), Ryan Crowley (foot), Roger Hayden (leg), Des Headland (calf/quad), Chris Mayne (foot) and Hayden Ballantyne (wrist) playing just 19 games between them in 2009.

Last week the Dockers fielded a team consisting of two debutants and six first-year players, but still managed to give Port Adelaide an almighty fright before being eventually overrun by 24 points.

While the 14th-placed Dockers may be out of the finals picture this year, Stephen Hill, Nic Suban, Greg Broughton, Matt de Boer, Clancee Pearce and Michael Walters have gained valuable game time - and impressed in the process.

Pavlich, 27, signed a three-year contract extension during the 2007 campaign and said the club's recent emphasis on youth had given him confidence he could yet taste premiership success before his AFL career was up.

"I'm always striving for that," Pavlich said.

"I look at the glass always half full.

"I'm very positive about things given the situation we're in and the number of young players that have got some serious talent and some really core attributes."

Pavlich said while the Dockers were in for more short-term pain, the long-term future looked rosy.

"The win-loss ratio, obviously we'd like it to be a lot better, but from a development point of view I think it's great and it leaves some really strong building blocks for the future," he said.

"The influx of youth has certainly given a lot of people hope, including supporters, sponsors and senior players.

"From that perspective we are in a great spot.

"To see the development of Hill, Suban and De Boer, just to name three, has been huge."

The mid-season break comes at a perfect time for Fremantle, who are hopeful Luke McPharlin (hip), Michael Johnson (ankle) and Antoni Grover (calf) will return for the June 21 clash with Geelong at Subiaco Oval.

Pavlich has been used predominantly through the midfield this season and said the increased workload had taken its toll.

"Losing a few players in the midfield has certainly made me become more of a midfield player, which at six foot four and 98kg isn't absolutely ideal but I understand it's my role and important for the team," he said.

"The break's a great opportunity to freshen up physically and mentally. It's an arduous season."

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