Alex Pearce (born 9 June 1995) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for and captains the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Pearce was selected by Fremantle with pick 37 in the 2013 national draft and made his debut in 2015, playing as a key defender.

After several injury-interrupted seasons, Pearce established himself as a part of Fremantle's defence and was appointed club captain ahead of the 2023 season, succeeding Nat Fyfe.

Early career

Pearce was born in Ulverstone, Tasmania to mother Karen and father Scott.[1] He is of indigenous (Palawa) descent[2] and traces his lineage to Mannalargenna, a Chief of the Trawlwoolway clan.[3] He grew up supporting Carlton.[4]

Pearce played both junior football and cricket for the respective Ulverstone clubs. Attracting the eye of AFL talent scout Troy Davies, Pearce was selected in the Under 16 Tasmanian side that competed in Sydney in 2011.[5] He impressed at the Under 18 carnival in 2012 solidifying his AFL prospects.[5]

Drafted with the 37th selection in the 2013 AFL draft from Devonport Football Club in the Tasmanian State League, he played most of his junior football as a key forward.[6] However, after moving to Fremantle, he played mainly as a key defender for Peel Thunder in the West Australian Football League (WAFL), Fremantle's reserve team.[7]

AFL career

2015-2018: Early career and injury struggles

Pearce made his AFL debut for Fremantle in Round 6 of the 2015 AFL season at Domain Stadium against Essendon, replacing the injured Luke McPharlin.[8] He was the first player to make his debut for Fremantle in 2015. He is not related to either of his former teammates who share his surname, Danyle Pearce and Clancee Pearce.

Pearce suffered a broken leg in Round 9 of the 2016 AFL season. He required surgery and didn't play another game that year.[9][10] In January 2017, Pearce reinjured the same leg during a training session,[11] causing him to miss the entire 2017 AFL season.

Ahead of the 2018 AFL season, Pearce was voted into Fremantle's leadership group.[12] He made his return for the Dockers in Round 1 of the 2018 AFL season against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.[13] Pearce played a career-best 21 out of a possible 22 games in 2018, establishing himself as a key member in Fremantle's defensive structure.[14]

2019-2023: Return and captaincy

Pearce started 2019 in astonishing fashion, and was considered to be in contention for All-Australian honours.[15] However, he broke his ankle in the win against Collingwood at the MCG in Round 11 and was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the season.[16]

Pearce missed the entire 2020 AFL season after complications with his recovery from a broken ankle sustained the season prior.[17] He missed almost half of the 2021 AFL season after injuring his knee in Round 1 against Melbourne. He played three games in the WAFL, before returning to Fremantle's line-up in Round 13 against Gold Coast. He finished the season strongly playing the last nine consecutive games.[18]

Pearce served as Fremantle's stand-in captain for a large portion of the 2022 AFL season, due to captain Nat Fyfe struggling with injury throughout the year.[19] He finished the season having played an equal career-high 21 games. On 23 February 2023, Pearce was permanently appointed as Fremantle captain, succeeding Nat Fyfe.[20]

Pearce made his debut as captain in the opening round of the 2023 AFL season against St Kilda, recording 20 disposals.[21] He played his 100th game in Round 17 against Carlton at Optus Stadium.[22] He was arguably Fremantle's best player in Round 20 during their seven-point win over Geelong at Kardinia Park, collecting 18 disposals, a game-high 15 intercepts, six rebound 50s, and leading all players for clearances with eight.[23] He finished the game polling a perfect ten coaches' votes and received a maximum three Brownlow votes.[24] Pearce finished the season having played every game.

2024

Pearce started the 2024 AFL season in excellent form with his ability to shut down some of the league's most dangerous forwards.[25][26] He captained the Dockers to just their third three-nil start in the club's history, and was labeled the best key defender in the competition by Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley in Round 5, following Fremantle's narrow loss to Port Adelaide during their two-week stint in Adelaide.[27] His career-best form led to media speculation he could be inline for All-Australian honors at the end of the season.[28][29]

The eleventh round saw Fremantle face Collingwood at Optus Stadium. The match would turn out to be a see-sawing affair, with Fremantle dominating early before succumbing to a 25-point deficit with seven minutes left in the final quarter. However, the Dockers would mount an unlikely comeback and in the final minutes of the game, with Collingwood leading by seven points, Pearce was switched forward in a last-gasp effort. He made an immediate impact marking 25 meters out before kicking a captain's goal to secure a draw for Fremantle.[30] in Round 15 against the Gold Coast Suns, Pearce injured his forearm in a marking contest, causing him to miss the next three games.[31] He returned to the Dockers line-up for their annual Starlight Purple Haze fundraiser game in Round 19 against Melbourne at Optus Stadium. Unfortunately, he reinjured the same arm during the match and missed the rest of the season.[32]

2025

Pearce managed 16 games for the 2025 AFL season, captaining the Dockers to a sixth-placed finish on the ladder.[33] Pearce made a memorable impact in Round 22 against Port Adelaide. In similar circumstances to his goal against Collingwood the year prior, with scores level, Pearce switched forward in the final minute of the match; he took a big pack mark 20 metres out before kicking a captain's goal to win the game by six points.[34][35]

2026

In Round 4 of the 2026 AFL season against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, Pearce laid a last-minute smother on Adelaide player James Peatling's attempted kick on goal to help win the game by 2 points. After the game, Pearce was swarmed by his teammates and praised by Fox Footy commentators Ken Hinkley and Dwayne Russell.[36][37]

Personal life

He attended secondary school Ulverstone High School (now Ulverstone Secondary College). He competed his final two years of school at Don College, due to year 11 and 12 not being offered at his previous school.[38]

Pearce is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) at Deakin University. In 2021, Pearce was named as Deakin University's Indigenous Sportsperson of the Year.[39]

Statistics

Updated to the end of round 17, 2026.[40]

Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2014Fremantle25[citation needed] 0——————————————0
2015Fremantle25 1333736513850200.20.25.65.010.63.81.50
2016Fremantle25 80136417720170.00.14.55.19.62.52.10
2017Fremantle25 0——————————————0
2018Fremantle25 210010911822772360.00.05.25.610.83.41.70
2019Fremantle25 1100566311936240.00.05.15.710.83.32.20
2020[a]Fremantle25 0——————————————0
2021Fremantle25 100156409627100.00.15.64.09.62.71.00
2022Fremantle25 21101547623090250.00.07.33.611.04.31.21
2023Fremantle25 23001349623090490.00.05.84.210.03.92.13
2024Fremantle25 1510958117668250.10.06.35.411.74.51.72
2025Fremantle25 16401017617779200.30.06.34.811.14.91.32
2026Fremantle25 1400675312057160.00.04.83.88.64.11.1
Career 1529588170915905892420.10.05.84.710.53.91.68

Notes

  1. ↑ The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

  1. ↑ Alex Pearce's Fremantle Dockers debut thrills family Archived 19 May 2023 at the Wayback Machine from The Advocate By Mark Acheson. 11 May 2015
  2. ↑ Pearce’s pride goes back centuries Archived 19 May 2023 at the Wayback Machine by fremantlefc.com.au 26 May 2022
  3. ↑ Const, Dan; Schofield, Will (22 March 2023). "The Alex Pearce Story". BackChat Podcast (Podcast). Event occurs at 45:37. Archived from the original on 28 October 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.{{cite podcast}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ "Dockers acting captain rises above the pain for first final". The West Australian. 2 September 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  5. 1 2 Alex Pearce’s long journey to first Fremantle Dockers final nearly complete Archived 19 May 2023 at the Wayback Machine by Glen Quartermain for The West Australian 3 September 2022
  6. ↑ "2013 draft prospect: Alex Pearce". 20 October 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
  7. ↑ Lacy, Bridget (21 April 2015). "Another Pearce in the Dockers jigsaw". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
  8. ↑ Dobson, John (7 May 2015). "Debut a dream come true". fremantlefc. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  9. ↑ "Alex Pearce injury update". fremantlefc.com.au. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  10. ↑ "Freo defender Alex Pearce to miss season with broken leg". Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  11. ↑ Lacy, Bridget (24 January 2017). "Prominent sports doctor says Alex Pearce may struggle to have an impact this year after leg fracture". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 24 January 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  12. ↑ Jordan, McArdle. "Alex Pearce, Bradley Hill added to Fremantle Dockers leadership group for 2018 AFL season". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  13. ↑ "Pearce looks to build from 'tough' AFL return". fremantlefc.com.au. 24 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  14. ↑ "Defender bulks up to take on power forwards". Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  15. ↑ Gabelich, Josh (7 May 2019). "Unheralded Fremantle defender Alex Pearce is 'an absolute lock' for All-Australian right now". Fox Footy. Archived from the original on 9 February 2026. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  16. ↑ Waterworth, Ben (3 June 2019). "AFL 2019: Alex Pearce ruled out for rest of season due to fractured ankle". Fox Footy. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  17. ↑ Prestipino, David (28 May 2021). "Injury-prone Alex Pearce reveals mental toll of AFL setbacks". WAtoday. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  18. ↑ "Pearce 'in a much better spot' after 2021". fremantlefc.com.au. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  19. ↑ "Pearce 'hugely honoured' following leadership switch". fremantlefc.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  20. ↑ McNeill, Heather (23 February 2023). "Fremantle Dockers announce new captain". The Age. Archived from the original on 4 July 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  21. ↑ "Player Stats". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 February 2026. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  22. ↑ "Tabtouch22: One change, debutant named". fremantlefc.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  23. ↑ Welsh, Sophie. "Dockers shock has Cats' flag defence hanging by a thread". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 29 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  24. ↑ "A 10 for Moose!". fremantlefc.com.au. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  25. ↑ Newswire, AAP. "Longmuir hails captain courageous as Freo aim for 3-0". sheppnews.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 April 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  26. ↑ "Fremantle rocket to 3-0 after beating winless Crows". espn.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 April 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  27. ↑ Barrett, Jackson (13 April 2024). "Ken Hinkley declares Fremantle Dockers defender Alex Pearce the best key defender in AFL this season". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024.
  28. ↑ Geleit, Lachlan (15 April 2024). ""Could Have A Blazer?": Is Freo Skipper Putting Together An Early All-Aus Campaign?". 1116 SEN. Archived from the original on 21 May 2024.
  29. ↑ Schmook, Nathan (19 April 2024). "'Gone to another level': Dockers skipper leading in more ways than one". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024.
  30. ↑ Healey, Catherine (16 June 2024). "'Cam would kick this!' Shaky Freo star's touching tribute to late mate". Fox Sports.
  31. ↑ "RND15 Injury Update: Switkowski, Pearce, Walker". fremantlefc.com.au. 17 June 2024. Archived from the original on 12 July 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  32. ↑ "Alex Pearce injury update". fremantlefc. 22 July 2024. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  33. ↑ Kempton, Josh; Santa Maria, Jake (16 January 2026). "Fremantle Dockers captain Alex Pearce believes trusting himself more has allowed his leadership to flourish". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 14 February 2026. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  34. ↑ Larkin, Steve (10 August 2025). "Freo hail skipper's heroics in thrilling win over Port". WAtoday. Archived from the original on 11 August 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  35. ↑ Faulkner, Will (9 August 2025). "DOCKER DAGGER! Most unlikely Freo hero sinks Power hearts with finals now theirs to lose". Fox Footy. Archived from the original on 25 August 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  36. ↑ "Skipper saves the day for Dockers as Crows' furious surge falls short". afl.com.au. 3 April 2026. Archived from the original on 3 April 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  37. ↑ Sutton, Ben (3 April 2026). "Fremantle captain Alex Pearce mobbed by teammates after heroic smother seals win over Adelaide". Seven News. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  38. ↑ "Alex Pearce: Ulverstone Boy to Freo Captain". Hobart Magazine. Archived from the original on 6 January 2026. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  39. ↑ "2021 Deakin Sport Awards: Congratulations to our Sportsperson of the Year winners!". Deakin Life. Deakin University. 9 December 2021. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  40. ↑ "Alex Pearce". AFL Tables. Retrieved 7 July 2026.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Pearce_(Australian_footballer)