Lachie Weller’s mother could never have imagined a chance photo she took of her son playing junior footy seven years ago could have such resonance for its three young subjects.

What makes the photo so fateful is it includes Fremantle players Alex Pearce, Brady Grey and Lachie Weller, all in a single contest at an under-14s match in northern Tasmania.

The trio come from the Devonport-Burnie region and played in the same local footy league.

Little did they know, nearly a decade later they would all be realising their AFL dream with Fremantle.

Pearce knew Grey through sport but said it was a remarkable coincidence that all three were captured in the photo and ended up at the same AFL club

“To get us playing against each other on the same day and now be playing together is pretty rare and pretty special to look back on,” he said.

“I was sort of mates with Brady as I’d played footy, cricket and soccer with him but Lachie I just knew from playing against him.”

Pearce was drafted at pick 37 in the National Draft in 2013, Grey was taken at pick 58 while Weller was taken at pick 13 in 2014.

He said Grey and Weller were similar players to what they are now.

“Brady was a tough on baller and Lachie was very silky and smooth,” he said.

“I was a midfielder back then, so I was actually playing on those guys.”

Pearce said his junior days in the local Tassie leagues were among his fondest memories.

“Looking back on my junior days is when you had the most fun because you spent it with your mates day in and day out,” he said.

“It was always very cold playing junior footy in Tasmania.

“Starting the game at 8.30am having to kick ice off the field was tough but I loved those days.”

Pearce, who is likely to be picked for his sixth AFL match against Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium in Launceston on Sunday, said Tasmanian players shared a bond.

“I think all us Tasmanians stick together a little bit,” he said.

“It’s always good to have someone close to home to share the experience with.”