Alex Pearce, the Fremantle Dockers’ captain, is set to participate in the Indigenous All-Stars game against his own team at Optus Stadium in February. Pearce, originally from Tasmania, was introduced to the Indigenous culture by Fremantle’s Indigenous leaders, such as Michael Johnson, Danyle Pearce, and Stephen Hill, when he moved to Perth in 2013. The Dockers have a rich history of Indigenous representation, with 36 players and 2,559 games since their AFL debut in 1995. Fremantle’s commitment to Indigenous players continued with a remarkable streak, where at least one First Nations player featured in every game from round 12 of the club’s first season until June 2024.
As a key figure in this proud tradition, Pearce is one of only eight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander captains in AFL/VFL history, joining the ranks of notable figures like Adam Goodes, Michael Long, and Gavin Wanganeen. The 29-year-old was recently named as one of the first players selected for the 2025 Indigenous All-Stars game, alongside fellow stars like Shai Bolton, Izak Rankine, and Jarman Impey. For Pearce, representing the Palawa people of Tasmania in this game is an exciting and meaningful opportunity.
Pearce credits his time at Fremantle for helping him embrace his cultural heritage, and he is passionate about helping the next generation of Indigenous players. He values Fremantle’s strong Indigenous history, noting that the club has celebrated its First Nations players and culture for decades. Pearce recalls how Indigenous leaders in the club played a crucial role in him understanding and being proud of his roots, which differ from many others. He is particularly excited about the chance to showcase this heritage in the upcoming All-Stars game.
In 2015, Pearce was included in the Indigenous All-Stars squad even before making his AFL debut. However, he acknowledges the concerning decline in Indigenous representation in the league, with a significant number of players being delisted or retiring, and no Indigenous players selected in the AFL national draft for the first time. Pearce believes that the All-Stars game will help address this issue, offering a unique platform to highlight Indigenous talent. He sees such marquee events as vital in reinvigorating excitement and attention for Indigenous representation in the AFL.
In terms of his club’s performance, Pearce reflects on a challenging 2024 season where Fremantle missed the finals. He endured multiple injuries, including two fractures to his forearm, which kept him sidelined during the latter part of the season. Despite this setback, Pearce views the injury as an opportunity to ensure a full recovery during the offseason. Looking ahead to 2025, Pearce is focused on returning stronger and helping Fremantle achieve greater success.
Pearce’s leadership journey has been shaped by his experiences under iconic leaders like Matthew Pavlich, David Mundy, and Nat Fyfe. He finds great pride in leading Fremantle, drawing on the lessons learned from these mentors. Although he recognizes the emergence of future leaders within the club, such as vice-captains Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong, Pearce is determined to continue his role and push for Fremantle’s first premiership. He reflects on the challenge of leadership, acknowledging it as one of the most rewarding aspects of his career, and hopes to pass on the skills of leadership to the next generation.
In the off-season, Fremantle made a significant acquisition by securing Shai Bolton from Richmond, who is already making a positive impact at the club. Pearce is excited about Bolton’s potential and the contribution he will bring to Fremantle both on and off the field. With a focus on building a strong and supportive team environment, Pearce is determined to continue his leadership as the club aims for future success.