Retired premiership hero Nathan Broad linked to shock return with Fremantle

Retired triple premiership hero Nathan Broad has emerged a potential recruit for Fremantle should captain Alex Pearce be ruled out for an extended period.

Pearce is set to undergo scans on the Achilles injury that ended his grand final early with the potential a full rupture could result in up to 12 months on the sidelines.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Could Nathan Broad continue his career at Fremantle?

Broad, meanwhile, announced his retirement from Richmond this season, with his final game coming in Round 23 against St Kilda.

The 33-year-old, who played 191 games and was a key part of the Tigers’ three premierships, is returning home to WA with his influencer wife Tayla Damir, who is pregnant with their second child.

But while Broad is seemingly ready for the next chapter in his life, he recently said he is already training again in the hope of continuing his career.

“I’m a very in-the-moment, in-the-present type person. So right now I’m retired, but I’m also back training already,” he told the Footy & Friends podcast earlier this month.

“Didn’t take too long; I’m back doing my program. The answer to your question (would I pick up the phone?) is 100 per cent. You know, never say never.”

West Coast have previously shown interest, but could the Dockers make a play as well?

“He did retire from Richmond, but he is open at the right opportunity to playing on,” 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary said on The Agenda Setters.

“I just wonder whether if Fremantle’s scans come back worse than first expected for Alex Pearce, whether he sits by the phone and waits for a call for the Dockers as a ready-made replacement at Fremantle.”

Tom Morris added: “Surely it’s exactly what the Fremantle Dockers need, particularly if Alex Pearce is out for next year.”

AFL great Tom Mitchell also agreed, saying it would be a “no-brainer” move.

“If you’re a team contending, you need depth in every single position. So Nathan Broad, he’s been around successful environments, three-time Premiership player. Depth probably wouldn’t cost him a lot. It’d be a no-brainer,” he said.

Should Pearce be ruled out for an extended period, the Dockers’ defensive stocks suddenly look thin.

Brennan Cox struggled with injuries this year and wasn’t included in the grand final team, while Oscar McDonald earned a contract extension for next year on the back of 14 senior games.

But they could definitely use some extra reinforcements as the durable Broad would be a good fit.

He has played at least 19 games in each of the past five seasons and enjoyed one of his better years in 2026 despite the Tigers limping to just three wins.