Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich is desperate to rejoin his club's ailing AFL finals campaign this week, despite a weekend decision to play through injury which backfired badly.

Pavlich became what he called "a liability" after an existing calf injury gave way early in his side's 98-point drubbing by North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

He was subbed out of the game late in the second quarter with his side seven goals down, and on their way to a loss which knocked the stuffing out of their finals hopes.

The Dockers skipper said he initially picked up the knock the previous week against Carlton, but had run out the match.

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey played down any concerns over Pavlich leading into the North clash.

But Pavlich said a solid performance at Friday's training session and the pre-match warm-up meant little soon after the start of the match against the Kangaroos.

"I gave it a bit of a tweak early in the first quarter and I was a liability out there in the end," Pavlich told the Seven Network's AFL Game Day program.

"I certainly let my teammates down by being out there."

But Pavlich doesn't regret the decision considering the high stakes nature of the match, and said he would do everything he could to return for the Dockers' clash with Collingwood in Perth this Friday night.

"Given the fact last night was a last roll of the dice from our perspective, I needed to take the risk," Pavlich said.

"I'll be doing everything I can to get back out there (this weekend)."

Meanwhile, Collingwood have cleared defender Ben Reid of any serious injury despite him coughing up blood after falling heavily on his back during the Magpies' win over Brisbane on Saturday night.

But Essendon have concerns over skipper Jobe Watson (concussion) and forward Stewart Crameri, who dislocated his shoulder during their loss to West Coast.

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