Purple Heart
Pavlich, Matthew

RRP
A$34.99

In the tough, adrenaline-fueled world of Australian Football, Matthew Pavlich is a true legend and, as long-time captain of the Fremantle Dockers, the heart and soul of football in Western Australia.

Born of Scottish, Irish and Croatian bloodlines, Matthew is a fifth-generation Australian now in the final season of a much-decorated 16-year career, the last 10 of them as the Dockers' leader. In that time he has risen to become one of the premier centre half-forwards of the modern era and one of the most respected characters in the game, both on-field and off.

At the start of the 2015 season, Matthew was chosen by the AFL's other 17 captains to dress down media who had published names of Essendon players embroiled in the peptides scandal. "It's important to stand up, lend our voice and influence in condemning the mistreatment of vulnerable players," he said. "Let's take stock, reflect on how we'd like to be treated... and work together to showcase the game, its players, its great stories and the fantastic nature in which we play it."

Diplomacy and solidarity like this saw Matthew elected as the new AFL Players' Association President in 2015, having served as vice-president since 2012.

Purple Heart tells the inspirational story of the amazing man behind the phenomenal 300+ game, 600+ goal record in fast, smart and exciting prose as told to eminent ghost-writer Mark Duffield. It tells the inside story of the Dockers' humble beginnings and their rise to be 2013 Grand finalists.

Author Information

Matthew Pavlich (born 31 December 1981) is a product of the West Torrens Football Club. He was drafted to Fremantle in 1999 and made his AFL debut in 2000, the first of 16 consecutive seasons with the Dockers. A six-time All Australian, Matthew was a key member of the victorious Australian International rules squads in 2002 and 03. Away from football Matthew is married to Lauren and a proud father to Harper Rose and Jack Lee. He is studying a business degree at the University of Western Australia while completing his autobiography, Purple Heart (Macmillan, October 2015).

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