Alex Pearce will lead the Fremantle Football Club’s AFL side as captain for a second season in 2024 after being voted in again by the playing and coaching group. 

Pearce's outstanding leadership qualities and his significant impact on and off the field have once again earned the trust and respect of his teammates and the coaching staff to lead the side for another season. 

The 28-year-old’s reappointment as captain reflects the Club's confidence in his ability to guide the team through the exciting opportunity of the upcoming season.

“I'm incredibly proud and humbled to lead not only the playing group, but this Club that I love so much,” Pearce said.

“Last year had its challenges.

“I learnt a lot in the role, going through those ups and downs in the tougher period made me feel more comfortable in my role as captain.

“I feel very settled and excited for what this year has to offer.

“I'm really excited as to what we can achieve this year and to see how strong and how intense the pre-season has been, I am really excited for next year.”

Executive General Manager of Football Joe Brierty believes that Alex is the type of leader the AFL program needs right now to elevate itself next season.

"Alex embodies everything we value at Fremantle,” Brierty said. 

“His commitment, work ethic and ability to motivate his teammates are second to none. 

“He's the kind of leader who makes everyone around him better, and we're fortunate to have him at the forefront of the team.”

Andy Brayshaw and Caleb Serong will remain as vice-captains and support Pearce in driving the team forward. Sam Switkowski, Jaeger O’Meara and Hayden Young round out the six-person leadership group. 

“The vote again affirms the esteem that Caleb and Andy are held in across the playing group, we know they will continue to play a massive role in supporting Alex as both our vice-captains,” Brierty said.

“We’re fortunate to have the quality of leaders we have within our leadership group including Jaeger, ‘Youngy’ and ‘Switta’.

“We feel the balance of this group is its strength, as our playing group is very diverse and we believe this leadership group will be able to influence the wider group.”

This is the first time the leadership group has remained consistent since 2020, with three members in Switkowski, Young and O’Meara being added to the group for the first time in February this year.

The faith shown in the playing group to back the same leaders for consecutive years shows the belief in the direction and leadership of the Club.

“There was a lot of change last year with a new captain, new vice captains and new leadership group,” Pearce said.

“We learnt a lot and worked out throughout the year how to best work with each other, and what each other’s strengths are. 

“I certainly could not have done it without Caleb and Andy in particular and for Sam, Hayden and Jaeger, it was their first time in our leadership group, and I know they learnt a lot as well.

“We’ve built a strong connection over the last 12 months and for us to continue to work on that growth and continue to work together is exciting.”

“The point of a leadership group is to have an influence over a wide range of the playing group.

“With 45 players on the list there are a lot of different personalities and players are at different stages of their careers.

“To have a group that can influence and align every single player is really important, and we cover all lines as well.”

Pearce's captaincy comes at a time when Fremantle is looking to make significant strides in the competition. With a blend of experienced players and emerging talent, the team is looking to build on the foundations laid in previous seasons.

The belief of its current playing group that the Club is building something special is evident in the recent signings of Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy and defender Brennan Cox who have committed to the Club until 2030, while Luke Jackson, Jye Amiss, Caleb Serong and Luke Ryan have also committed long-term.

Freo’s captain Pearce will once again have the task of leading one of the league’s most exciting lists as the Club’s core group of players aged 24 and under start to realise their full potential.

Pearce will enter his 11th year in the AFL and second as captain in 2024 with a completely different mindset, which he thinks will set the Club up for success.

“We're going in the right direction; we've got a group that's really driven and focused and just committed to this Club,” Pearce said.

“The feeling right now is that everyone is driven and committed to season 2024 and we're just really excited for that.

“As a group, were focussed and really hungry, having a season like the last that didn't go the way we planned has really burned a fire in a lot of blokes and you can tell that they haven't been waiting for a week or two to get going in the pre-season and waiting till after Christmas. 

“Everyone's just come in and giving their best and it's been a really high standard of training, which is great.

“We've got plenty of the pre-season left to go. So, it's exciting to see where that drive and passion can take us.”

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