Matthew Pavlich captained the Fremantle Dockers for a decade. In 16 epic seasons and 300-plus games he kicked over 600 goals and won glory, respect and a legion of fans Australia-wide.

Purple Heart is the thrilling, inspirational tale of an Adelaide kid who found himself in the west playing for a fledgling club still learning to fly. It reveals the incredible early struggles Pavlich and his Fremantle teammates faced in those early years and takes us inside the empire that rose from the rubble.

Pavlich tells for the first time why he rejected huge offers from rival clubs to stay loyal to his purple heart and become a one-club man. 'Pav' became the Dockers' games record holder, highest scorer, an all-time great of the modern era, and lifeblood of the AFL powerhouse Fremantle is today.

This is Matthew Pavlich's story - tough, honest, action-packed and heartfelt.