PEARCE OFF TO THE VFL

FORMER Glenorchy player Harrison Pearce has signed with VFL club Port Melbourne for 2019.

Pearce signed with the 2017 VFL premiers after spending this year with NEAFL club Aspley, where he played 10 games before a shoulder injury cut his season short.

The 20-year old’s draft year in 2016 was cruelled by a broken leg with the highly rated youngster returning to the Glenorchy line-up in 2017 before the move to Queensland.

“I wanted to continue to play at that high level but also wanted to be closer to home, so I spoke to my player manager from my draft year, Tim Hazel, and he got me in contact with Port Melbourne,” Pearce said.

He admits that while he did speak to the Pies throughout the season, it was the advice of current Glenorchy coach Paul Kennedy that saw him decide on the VFL.

“When I spoke to Paul he basically said to give it a few more years at a high level before I come home and play at Glenorchy which was massive from ‘PK’ given his experience at VFL level,” Pearce said.

He hopes that the playing against AFL-affiliated clubs more often in the VFL will see him catch the eye of recruiters in the pursuit of his AFL dream becoming a reality.

“That’s the reason why I’m still doing it,” Pearce said. “So trying to play consistent footy at a high level and hopefully getting noticed by the right people somewhere along the line.”