FREMANTLE star Matthew Pavlich says he is very comfortable with his decision to play on in 2016 despite the Dockers’ winless start to the season.

Pavlich, 34, took an extended period of time after the 2015 season to make a decision about playing on into a 17th year.

The Freo Dockers have started the season poorly by losing their first three games. Pavlich has averaged 11 disposals and kicked six goals across the first three rounds.

But the former Fremantle skipper said he had no regrets about his decision to continue.

"There was always going to be the narrative at some point with my choice to play on," Pavlich said.

"That's what people are paid in the media to do, to make comment on players and decisions they make.

"It was always going to be on the table. I'm very comfortable with the decision.”

Pavlich said he spoke to a number of people before deciding to play on.

"I've been very fortunate to play this game for a long time and it wasn't something that I was just going to give up in the blink of an eye,” he said.

“I gave it a lot of consideration and spoke to a lot of key people and felt as though I had a little bit more to give.

"At this stage of the season I feel as though I've been able to do that. Time will tell exactly how it all pans out.

"But I'd rather take the emotional risk and leave it all out there as compared to shy away from a problem or shy away from playing."    

Pavlich stepped down from the captaincy after 189 games in charge. He said not too much had changed in the way he approached his football, but he said the appointment of David Mundy as the new captain had been a refreshing change.

"I'm still the same person, same leader around the football club," Pavlich said.  

"I'm just diverting a bit more of the larger responsibilities to David and Nathan (Fyfe) and a few of the other younger leaders. It's been refreshing in some ways. But where we are right now requires all leaders to stand up and push the team forward." 

Pavlich said it was a challenging period given Mundy was out injured with a calf problem, but believes it was an opportunity for other players to step up in his absence.