Alex Pearce has been named as Fremantle’s captain for the 2023 season, becoming the 10th player to lead the Club’s AFL team.

The 27-year-old will be supported by vice captains Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong, and the leadership group is rounded out by three newcomers in Hayden Young, Sam Switkowski and Jaeger O’Meara.

 The vote was conducted on Tuesday, with every player and coach including Pearce, Brayshaw and Serong on their ballots.

The key defender spoke proudly about taking over the reins from Nat Fyfe, who led the team for six seasons.

“I’m incredibly humbled and proud to be captain,” Pearce said. 

“It’s special to know that everyone who is alongside me and is a part of this Club values me as a leader.

“Nathan, I have obviously worked closely with him. I lived with him and had a great connection with him.

“Even though he is not in the leadership group this year he is going to be my biggest resource and help moving forward."

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Pearce said he felt empowered to have the support of Brayshaw and Serong as vice captains, who have been elevated in their leadership roles at the ages of 23 and 22 respectively.

“The vice captaincy proves the amount of hard work Andy and Caleb have put in since they’ve arrived at the Club, it shows the respect they’ve gained from players, the coaches and the staff and clearly, the Freo family as a whole,” Pearce said. 

“They’ve had an incredible start to their careers and they’ve really grown as leaders. I’m looking forward to working closely with them.

 “I’m looking forward to working closely with them, and part of my role is to help them become the best leaders and players they can be, which is really exciting.”

After enduring multiple injury interrupted seasons from fractured leg injuries, Pearce paid tribute to Fremantle’s members and supporters for their unwavering support.

“Throughout my whole career I’ve been incredibly supported by our fans, particularly during some of my lowest points in dealing with injuries all throughout,” Pearce said. 

“They have been a great source of motivation for me.  This past season, some of the moments I will never forget is leading the boys out in front of a packed Freo crowd.

“Even walking down the street and feeling the energy of Freo people and their excitement and love of this Club - I share that love of Fremantle and I can’t wait to continue this journey and hopefully, help bring some success very soon.”

Executive General Manager of Football Peter Bell said Pearce’s captaincy honour was well deserved based on his efforts both on the off the field.

“I’m really excited for Alex. He demonstrated last year in Nat’s absence that he’s a really capable leader with a lot of room to continue to grow as he continues to inspire his teammates and represent the Club in the best light,” Bell said. 

“Besides the high level of performance that we’ve become accustomed to Alex showing, it’s his on-field communication, his understanding of what is needed with each game and within games.  

“What you want from your leaders is to be a real conduit from the coaches out on the field and during the week, and Alex is highly skilled in those areas.” 

Bell was pleased to see the whole playing and coaching group unite behind their new captain and co captains. 

“It’s worth noting that Alex, Caleb and Andy featured on every single ballot,” Bell said.

“It was unanimous across the board. These are who the group see as being the most suitable for those formal leadership positions. 

“We’re fortunate to have a depth of leadership to support Alex, and I couldn’t think of anyone better than Andy and Caleb to do that.

“They’re both incredibly honoured and ready to get to work, not only supporting Alex but developing their own leadership, influencing their teammates and representing the Club really well.

“With the additions of Jaeger O’Meara, Sam Switkowski and Hayden Young, we think we’re really well placed with our entire leadership group to continue to grow and improve.”

A proud Palawa man, Pearce is the first Aboriginal player to be named as Fremantle captain and the eighth in AFL history, joining Graham Farmer (Geelong), Gavin Wanganeen (Port Adelaide), Michael Long (Essendon), Chris Johnson (Brisbane), Adam Goodes (Sydney), Steven May (Gold Coast) and Jy Simpkin, who was recently named co-captain at North Melbourne.

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