He ended 2012 banged up and ready for surgery, but Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich remains as determined as ever to lead the Dockers to sustained AFL success.

Pavlich will fly to Melbourne this week for a hip arthroscopy and surgery on his troublesome Achilles tendon – injuries he carried for most of the year.

Despite struggling to consistently operate at full steam, Pavlich still finished the campaign with 69 goals.

His form between rounds 10-23 was exquisite, the 279-game veteran booting 51 goals in that period to lift Fremantle into the finals.

His 6.1 against Richmond in round 11 was majestic, while his 8.2 in the round 19 derby simply tore the heart out of West Coast.

Pavlich’s finest performance was his six-goal haul in the elimination final win over Geelong at the MCG, but the 30-year-old was clearly hampered by his injuries a week later as Fremantle were bumped out of the finals by Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

Although the Dockers made great strides under new coach Ross Lyon this year, Pavlich warned his teammates against complacency, especially with teams such as Carlton, Essendon and Richmond desperate to push up for top-eight berths in 2013.

“Just because we played finals this year and just because we’ll have another pre-season under Ross, it doesn’t guarantee anything,” Pavlich said on Monday.

“We’re pleased with what we were able to achieve, but clearly we need to improve again to really threaten for next year as well.

“We’re really confident we can progress and evolve again, and get the success we’re all striving for.

“That’s the ultimate aim. That’s why we keep fronting up and putting our bodies on the line.”

Veteran Dockers defender Antoni Grover is officially retired following Fremantle’s finals exit, but Pavlich urged 29-year-old former Bomber Adam McPhee to play on next year.