Alex Pearce: Fremantle Dockers skipper confident of facing Geelong in AFL season opener amid calf issue

Fremantle captain Alex Pearce has declared himself ready to play in the round one clash with Geelong at GMHBA Stadium in nine days’ time following a recent struggle with a calf injury. The 30-year-old did not play in either of the Dockers’ pre-season games against West Coast or Adelaide and his spot as the fulcrum of the backline was in doubt for the opener. But Pearce said at Thursday’s season launch at Crown Ballroom he was on track to take on the Cats. “The calf is good. I’ve had a few interruptions the last few weeks but I’ve done a lot of work in the pre-season and I feel ready to go,” he said. “Getting through so much of the pre-season, all those really long weeks, lots of heavy training, constant kilometres, everyone’s super excited.” Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir was happy to hear the news from his talisman. “We feel like we’ve had a really good pre-season and we feel like we’re about 90-95 pe cent ready,” he said. “There’s always a few things there this time of year, I’m really pleased that Pearcy is going to be ready for round one. “I was uncertain coming here, but he’s just said he’ll play.” Luke Ryan (shoulder) and Brennan Cox (calf) were also battling complaints. Ryan trained strongly at Tuesday’s session, while Cox did not play against Adelaide in the Dockers’ final pre-seaaon hit-out after suffering a calf strain in the previous weekend’s clash with West Coast. Pearce also brushed aside any concerns over a Geelong advantage by playing in Opening Round, a road clash with Gold Coast on Friday night. There has been criticism among the non-participating clubs that opening round gives a week extra of match tuning to those teams that take part. “It’s always interesting these recent years, having an Opening Round, we get to watch for a week, and everyone always asks, ’What’s my opinion on that?’” Pearce said. “It doesn’t really affect us. We get a look at the opposition first, and we get a look at the new rules and all those type of things.” Pearce also praised fellow defender Jordan Clark, who has joined the leadership group for this season. “There’s always plenty of commentary on the size of leadership groups, looking among the others on the larger end and I think with any organisation, the leadership structure can vary,” he said. “It all depends on the quality of what you’re getting and the individuals that are coming in. “We’ve had really good consistency over the past few years with our leadership group and vice-captains, and we’ve really worked together well. “To bring someone like Clarkey in, who does play with that passion, and he’s a very passionate person... often players have taken the time to get a feel and he’s just come in and put his stamp on things, and really been good. “Over the past 12 months, we’ve all seen how he’s grown as a footballer, and part of that is due to taking on more responsibility and really leaning into to being a leader at this footy club. “In the leadership process, you don’t put your hand to say, I want to be a leader. But it was clear that Jordan really wants to be a part of this group, and because he’s got a just a real fierce competitiveness. “I think he just wants to do as much as he can help us this season and he’s certainly doing that for us.”