Fremantle Dockers captain Alex Pearce isn’t holding back — he seriously believes this could be the year his team finally wins an AFL premiership. And honestly, the way he said it didn’t sound like some empty hype. It felt real.
He was chatting on Channel 7’s Unfiltered, and when they asked about 2025, he didn’t hesitate. “There’s no reason we can’t do it,” he said. And yeah, he actually said his goal is to be the one holding the cup. That’s the dream, plain and simple.
Pearce isn’t just saying this to pump the team up — you could tell he genuinely believes in this group. Like he knows the hard work’s been done and now it’s just about finishing strong. The confidence was there, but not in a cocky way. More like: we’ve come this far, why not us?
Nope, He’s Not Heading Back to Tasmania
People have been talking for a while now about Pearce maybe heading home to Tasmania, especially since Tassie’s getting its own AFL team in 2027. Makes sense — it’s where he’s from. But, nah, he’s not thinking about that right now.
He shut that chat down pretty quick. If Freo wins a flag, he’s not planning on riding off into the sunset. He wants to go again — with Fremantle. “If we win a premiership, we’ll be chasing the next one,” he said. “Right here.”
That says a lot about how locked in he is. Not just for this year, but for the long haul. He’s clearly not ready to walk away from the Dockers — not when things are just starting to click.
His Dream? Glory, Beer, and Freo Streets
You wanna know what Pearce’s dream looks like? It’s not just winning the premiership. It’s what happens after. He’s got this little fantasy — celebrating with fans, walking down the main street of Fremantle, maybe a few beers handed to the players.
“We’d probably head to Fremantle Oval and go down the main street. They’d probably pour us free beers,” he said with a grin.
It’s not just about lifting the cup for him. It’s about giving something back to the fans, the city — the whole Freo community. You can tell how much it would mean to him, and honestly, how much it would mean to everyone.
He’s Been Through Some Tough Stuff — But He’s Still Standing
Pearce didn’t sugarcoat anything in the interview. He’s had it rough. Injuries, mental health struggles — it’s all part of his journey. He talked about being down early in his career, feeling lost after serious injuries, even battling depression.
But he stuck with it. He kept showing up, because he wanted to bring that flag home to Freo. That’s what got him through the pain. That idea — that dream — it kept him going when things got really dark.
A lot of players don’t talk about this stuff. But Pearce did. And that honesty? It hit home.
He’s Faced Anxiety and Doubt — But Found a Way Forward
One of the most powerful parts of what Pearce shared was about game-day anxiety. He talked about being so overwhelmed before matches that he used to wish he’d twist his ankle — just so he wouldn’t have to play. That’s heavy.
He said he knew something wasn’t right when those thoughts started creeping in. But over time, with therapy and support, he’s found ways to manage it. He still feels pressure, sure, but he’s also grown more confident in himself.
He’s not pretending everything’s perfect now, but you can tell he’s in a better place. And for other players or even fans dealing with stuff like this — hearing that helps more than you’d think.
Back from Injury, Still Fighting for the Club
Pearce broke his arm late last season and missed some big games. But in 2025? He’s been out there every week so far. And while he says the physical side was tough, the mental side? Even tougher.
It’s the emotional stuff — the highs and lows, the pressure, the fear of not getting back to your best. That’s what really tested him. But what keeps him going is knowing how much this team means to people.
“This club is people’s weekend,” he said. And he’s not wrong. For so many fans, Freo’s more than just footy — it’s family.
Everyone’s All In — Now It’s About Finishing the Job
It’s not just Pearce who believes in Fremantle’s chances. Club chair Chris Sutherland and a bunch of others in leadership are all backing the idea that this team can really do it this year.
Pearce is all in. No half measures. He said if you wanna win, you’ve gotta be willing to put your heart out there — even if it means risking heartbreak.
“You have to go all in — be vulnerable, be willing to lose, to have your heart broken,” he said.
That kind of mindset? It’s what separates good teams from great ones. And maybe, just maybe, it’s what takes Freo to the top — for the first time ever.
