In a major boost for the Fremantle Dockers’ future prospects, captain Alex Pearce has inked a new two-year contract extension, ensuring he will remain in the purple haze until at least the end of the 2027 AFL season.
The 29-year-old key defender, who was already contracted for 2025, said it was an easy decision to extend his stay at the port club.
I’m very excited. This is the place I want to be. To be able to extend for a couple of years, I think really helps me focus in on what these next three years can look like. I think we can achieve a lot.
– Alex Pearce
Overcoming Injury Setbacks
Pearce’s career has been plagued by leg injuries, restricting him to just 122 games across his first ten seasons. However, apart from twice breaking his left arm in 2024, the Dockers skipper has enjoyed a sustained run of good health over the past three years.
Having played 59 games since 2022, Pearce is relishing this productive period and is confident his troublesome arm won’t hold him back in 2025.
I’m fully training and not really hindered much at all. There’s still a few things in the gym I can’t do. But everything’s all good. And other than the nice scar I’ve got, I’m feeling really good and ready to go.
– Alex Pearce
Primed for Success
After the bitter disappointment of narrowly missing the finals in 2024, Fremantle believe they are on the cusp of something special with Pearce leading a talented young squad.
Pearce is excited by the “desperate” competition for spots that the Dockers’ list depth has created.
Matty Johnson and Neil Erasmus are guys who are really hungry and at the moment we have a list where there are not just 22 or 26 players fighting for a spot. We have 30 — pushing on 40 players — that are really hungry and desperate to play.
That makes an environment where everyone is trying to get the very most out of themselves and it’s elevating the level that we are competing at.
– Alex Pearce
With former Richmond star Shai Bolton adding his dynamic skillset to a midfield headed by the prolific Andrew Brayshaw, Fremantle loom as a genuine challenger in 2025.
All-Star Appetizer
Pearce will get an early chance to size up his Dockers teammates when he represents the Indigenous All-Stars against Fremantle on February 15th.
The pre-season exhibition match offers Pearce a unique opportunity to test his mettle against emerging forward Josh Treacy.
The Final Piece
With their skipper locked in until 2027, Fremantle will be desperate to secure the signature of Brayshaw, who comes out of contract at season’s end.
If the Dockers can retain the services of their star midfielder, Pearce is bullish about what this group can achieve.
I think we’re building something really special here. The talent and drive we have on this list is incredible. If we can keep this core together and continue to develop, there’s no limit on what we can accomplish in the coming years. Hopefully that starts with winning a premiership in 2025.
– Alex Pearce
For Fremantle fans, the contract extension of their courageous leader is just the tonic after last year’s late-season fadeout. With Pearce at the helm, the future has never looked so bright at the Dockers.
