Tassie team tantalising for Pearce
NEW Fremantle captain Alex Pearce says a late-career move home to a hypothetical Tasmanian side is something he would have to consider.
The key defender, who put three injury-interrupted years behind him to enjoy a career-best season in 2022, said his home state had been “left behind” by the AFL and needed to quickly find a place in the competition.
Pearce, from Ulverstone on Tasmania’s north coast, was one of two skippers from the Apple Isle at AFL Captains’ Day on Wednesday, with Richmond cocaptain Toby Nankervis.
The 27-year-old said he was passionate about Tasmanian football and would have to give strong thought to any offer that came from an expansion side in three or four years’ time.
“I’m obviously very settled in Perth and very happy with this new role, which I’m extremely proud to have,” he said.
“But obviously at the tail-end of my career, I’ll entertain the thought ... it’s hypothetical though and it’s going to be a long way away. I’m not sure if my body will hold up for another few years, so they might have to make it move pretty quick!”
The AFL had a “huge opportunity” to get into the Tasmanian market before other codes continued to lure people away from football, Pearce said.
“There’s a lot more competition around these days for young kids playing football – basketball has taken a huge step with the JackJumpers,” he said.
“I think we are at risk of being left behind in terms of footy ... We’re a footy state, we’re a proud footy state and that feeling is still there all around, so I think it’s a huge opportunity.”
Pearce said his focus was firmly on his new role at the Dockers, who he said were well placed to improve on their semifinal appearance in 2022.
“We’ve got lots of guys vying for spots – particularly during the pre-season when all you’re doing is training and playing each other, it makes the competition really fierce out there and that holds us in good stead,” he said.