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Alex Pearce Reflects on Indigenous Representation and the Role of the All-Stars Game

Alex Pearce Reflects on Indigenous Representation and the Role of the All-Stars Game

Fremantle Dockers’ captain, Alex Pearce, is set to play in the Indigenous All-Stars game against his own team at Optus Stadium in February, marking a significant moment in both his career and his cultural journey. Pearce, originally from Tasmania, moved to Perth in 2013, where he was introduced to the cultural heritage of his Indigenous roots by Fremantle’s seasoned leaders like Michael Johnson, Danyle Pearce, and Stephen Hill. These veterans of the game helped him learn about and embrace his own heritage, paving the way for Pearce to not only represent his heritage with pride but to also become a leader for other Indigenous players.

Fremantle has a long and proud history of Indigenous representation. Since joining the AFL in 1995, the club has boasted 36 Indigenous players, racking up a total of 2,559 games. Remarkably, the team managed to feature at least one Indigenous player in every game from the club’s inaugural season until mid-2023, demonstrating their strong and ongoing commitment to supporting Indigenous talent. Pearce is now one of the few Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to ever captain an AFL team, standing alongside legends like Adam Goodes and Michael Long. This leadership role is one he cherishes deeply, especially as he continues to inspire the next generation of Indigenous players, not just within Fremantle, but across the entire AFL.

Reflecting on his journey, Pearce speaks proudly about Fremantle’s legacy of Indigenous leadership and how the club has helped him connect with his culture. “For myself, personally, to come into a club with such great Indigenous role models like Michael Johnson and Stephen Hill helped me embrace my culture and be really proud of where I come from,” Pearce says. Now, he hopes to inspire Indigenous players from his home state of Tasmania, representing the Palawa people on the national stage during the upcoming All-Stars game.

The All-Stars game, which Pearce was first part of in 2015, has become an essential fixture in the AFL calendar, particularly as Indigenous representation in the league faces challenges. This year, the AFL experienced a troubling drop in the number of Indigenous players, with several being delisted or retiring and, for the first time in history, no First Nations players selected in the national draft. Pearce sees the return of the All-Stars game as an important step to re-engage fans and celebrate Indigenous culture, while also providing an opportunity for younger players to showcase their skills and connect with their heritage.

As Fremantle prepares for the 2025 season, Pearce’s leadership remains central to the team’s aspirations. Despite battling injuries in 2024, including two fractures to his forearm, Pearce is optimistic about the future. The experience has only strengthened his resolve, and he is ready to lead Fremantle into a new season with renewed focus and determination. His ultimate goal remains to secure the team’s first premiership, a dream that continues to drive him forward as he continues to guide and mentor Fremantle’s next generation of leaders. Pearce remains confident in the club’s future, especially with rising stars like Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong by his side, helping to steer the team toward success.

Through his involvement in the All-Stars game and his role as captain of Fremantle, Alex Pearce continues to champion Indigenous representation both on and off the field. His leadership serves as an inspiration for many, and as the game grows in significance, Pearce hopes it will encourage more young Indigenous players to pursue their dreams in football while staying connected to their cultural roots.

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