Despite feeling like he faltered late in the 2021 season, key defender Alex Pearce feels he’s much better off after adding nine consecutive games to finish the year.
The luckless Pearce has battled long-term leg injuries since 2016, and when he returned in round one he was cruelled once again with a knee injury.
His return against Gold Coast in round 13 was arguably his best performance of the year as he blanked young gun Sun Ben King.
Pearce said he was feeling the effects of a limited pre-season late in the year and expects to be better equipped to run out the year in 2022.
“Obviously the year in total for me was very frustrating, having to miss all those games at the start, but I was able to get some games in a row and just get that conditioning into my body,” Pearce said.
“I probably didn't play how I wanted to and it was a bit of a grind towards the end, not having the preseason and the games at the start of the year, but I feel like that the season just gone gives me a good platform to be able to continue the work this offseason and be in a much better spot for the start of next season.”
Pearce said he had no serious injury concerns after sitting out the final minutes of Freo’s round 23 clash with St Kilda.
“It was all good, I just went in a little bit sore and the doc, with the game out of reach just sort of dragged me, but it was all good,” Pearce said.
Pearce said he once again adopted a focus on helping Freo’s younger players when he was forced out through injury.
“My expectations are always pretty high. I think after getting injured in round one and missing the first half of the season, I had to shift my mentality a little bit,” Pearce said.
“A big thing for me is always trying to have a big influence in the group, lead and try and help others get better. I feel like I was able to do that throughout and I'm really excited in the growth a lot of our young players have showed.
“In a personal sense, to play those nine games in the second half a year, I played a few games for Peel as well and contributed down there. It all played a part and I feel like I have a lot better base now than what I had the last couple of years after not playing any games.
“I'm excited about what the next few years brings.”
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