Fremantle coach Ross Lyon labels defender Alex Pearce a future AFL captain

IT HAS been 645 days since a talented Fremantle defender took to an AFL field. And ahead of his highly-anticipated return, Dockers coach Ross Lyon has given high praise to Alex Pearce.

Fremantle’s Alex Pearce has won high praise from coach Ross Lyon.

FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon has labelled Alex Pearce a future captain ahead of the talented key defender’s long-awaited playing return.

Pearce hasn’t played an AFL game since breaking his leg in Round 9, 2016. His return last year was aborted after he suffered another fracture.

But his 645 days on the sidelines will come to an end on Sunday when he lines up in Fremantle’s pre-season clash with Adelaide in Strathalbyn, South Australia.

“He’s really important to us — 200cm, really quick,” Lyon told reporters on Friday.

“He’s carrying himself really well. He’s a driven, focused individual.

“He’s certainly (got) leadership material stamped all over him and a future captain of AFL football I would think.

“For him to be back playing is wonderful for us, and him.

“It’s been a tough road. And unless you walk in his shoes, you probably don’t understand it.

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Fremantle's Alex Pearce hasn’t played since 2016. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

“Two years of rehab is monotonous and mentally draining. But he’s back.”

Fremantle will unleash a strong side against the Crows featuring captain Nat Fyfe and ruckman Aaron Sandlands, along with recruits Brandon Matera and Nathan Wilson.

Defender Joel Hamling will miss because of a wedding, while Stephen Hill is still recovering from a leg injury.

Meanwhile, Lyon hopes troubled midfielder Harley Bennell can knuckle down and stay focused while he deals with his latest calf setback.

Bennell was banished to WAFL club Peel Thunder last month following an altercation with security staff at a Fremantle night spot. The 25-year-old then suffered a minor calf injury — continuing a worrying trend of soft tissue injuries for the talented but troubled player. Bennell has been more prone to off-field misdemeanours while dealing with injury problems in the past.

Fremantle’s Harley Bennell.

Last April, Bennell was asked to leave a flight bound for the Gold Coast after attendants considered him too drunk to fly.

And a month later, he was fined $10,000 and ordered to undergo counselling after twice interrupting a three-quarter time huddle of a WAFL game in order to speak to his cousin.

Bennell’s current exile at Peel Thunder will stretch into next month, at which point he can be considered for a return.

Lyon hopes Bennell can stay on the straight and narrow while he deals with his latest calf injury, which the club expects will take only three weeks to recover from.

“There’s no doubt that for any player that gets injured, it places stress on them and some challenges,” Lyon said on Friday.

“So he has to button down and double down his concentration and effort and stay focused.”

— AAP

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Originally published as Fremantle coach Ross Lyon labels defender Alex Pearce a future AFL captain