Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich concedes he will probably have to scale back his midfield duties next AFL season after confirming he requires surgery for a niggling hip complaint.

Pavlich's season was brought to an end last week due to a calf injury, and the 29-year-old will use the early finish to finally fix a hip problem that has plagued him for several years.

The six-time All-Australian, who has been booked in for surgery on Thursday, is confident the operation won't affect his pre-season preparations for later this year.

In recent seasons, Pavlich has successfully split his time between the midfield and forward line.

But long-term injuries this season to key on-ballers Michael Barlow, David Mundy and Anthony Morabito forced Pavlich to spend the bulk of the year in the midfield.

Although the 256-game veteran started the season in scintillating fashion, his form gradually waned as his body struggled to cope with the extra workload.

And as he enters the twilight of his glittering career, Pavlich hinted he may be better suited to a larger role in the forward line next year.

"I have spoken to Harvs (coach Mark Harvey) and our sports science guys quite a number of times about what the split should be," Pavlich said.

"This year was almost unmanageable given the fact we had so many injuries throughout our midfield. I needed to go in there for the team's sake and was happy to do so.

"But I guess going forward we're going to have to review that."

Pavlich described the upcoming hip surgery as just a minor tune-up.

"Six years ago, exactly halfway through my career, I sort of had a 100,000km service, which was a shoulder reconstruction, some groin surgery and some minor knee surgery," Pavlich said.

"I'd like to think tomorrow morning is just a little tune-up.

"I've got a bit of a hip problem that I've carried for a number of years now but it sort of got to the point where it's worthwhile dealing with.

" ... I'll be perfectly right for day one of my pre-season."

The Dockers are set to make at least six changes for Friday night's clash with Collingwood in Perth, with Greg Broughton (ribs), Mundy (ankle), Alex Silvagni (concussion), Hayden Ballantyne (hamstring) and Adam McPhee (foot) joining Pavlich on the sidelines.

In contrast, the ladder-leading Magpies could welcome back Leon Davis, Andrew Krakouer and Ben Johnson from injury.

One bookmaker is offering odds of $20 for a Dockers win, but Pavlich shrugged off the perception that Fremantle were set for a hiding.

"It's a two horse race, so it's an opportunity for some of our players who haven't had the opportunity to play a huge amount this year to show their wares against the best team in the competition," he said.

Although the Dockers' finals chances are all but over, Fremantle received some good news on Wednesday when Programmed Integrated Workforce, formerly known as the Integrated Group, renewed their co-major sponsorship of the club for a further three years.

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