‘So unfair’: Alex Pearce’s nightmare return to the AFL

Playing his first AFL game in almost two years, Fremantle defender Alex Pearce’s highly-anticipated return ended in tragedy.

Alex Pearce in the sheds.

Alex Pearce highly-anticipated return to the AFL has ended in tragic circumstances, with the Fremantle defender lasting just one quarter before suffering another leg injury.

Facing the Melbourne Demons at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, Pearce hobbled off the field after Dockers captain Nat Fyfe inadvertently stepped on his foot early in the second term.

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“Pearce doesn’t look good,” three-time All-Australian Nick Dal Santo said on Fox Footy.

“He can’t run, he’s just limping.

“Hobbling severely.

“That doesn’t look good; that’s lower left leg.”

The 25-year-old was replaced by medical substitute Stefan Giro.

Alex Pearce of the Dockers is tackled by Adam Tomlinson of the Demons.

Injury has plagued Pearce’s entire professional career — he missed the 2020 premiership as he recovered from a severe ankle injury, and before Saturday had not featured in a senior game since round 11 of the 2019 season.

He also didn’t play a game during the 2017 premiership due to a leg fracture.

Footage later emerged of a distraught Pearce in the sheds with ice strapped around his left knee, the Dockers confirming he would not return for the match.

He joined the team at the three-quarter time huddle dressed in a tracksuit and wearing a knee brace.

Four-time premiership player Jordan Lewis said on Fox Footy: “It looked like everything was ok until he went to the ground and then Fyfe stood on his foot, which just sort of anchored his foot to the ground and his knee twisted after that.

“All our fingers are crossed to see him get a good run at it. He started down forward, looked lively down forward and was probably the player they’re missing as a key target.”

The Advocate’s Alex Fair tweeted: “Alex Pearce doesn’t deserve more injury woes considering what he’s been through. Fingers and toes crossed.”

So unfair. All the best Alex Pearce ⚓️💜

— Gillian OShaughnessy (@GillOshaughness) March 20, 2021

That shot of Alex Pearce. Man. 😢 #AFLDeesFreo

— Ryan Daniels (@FootyRhino) March 20, 2021

Dockers caoch Justin Longmuir later revealed Pearce had a suspected MCL injury, and would probably need to be sidelined for several weeks.

Fremantle’s 2021 campaign got off to a horror start, with Fyfe’s side failing to muster a goal in the opening quarter at the MCG.

It was the first time since the 2016 premiership that Fremantle started their season with a goalless quarter.

Dockers forwards regularly missed the target when shooting at goal — but their rivals were experiencing similar problems at the other end.

It took 14 minutes for either side to record a major, with Demons young gun Kysaiah Pickett eventually breaking the drought.

The Herald Sun’s Marc McGowan posted: “Dockers second to the ball, lethargic and panicking under any hint of pressure. Very ordinary so far.”

I have a solution to raise scoring in the comp. Banish both of these sides. #AFLDeesFreo

— Jack Hudson (@jhudson_10) March 20, 2021

What are we watching. #AFLDeesFreo

— Shayne Hope 📰 (@shayne_hope) March 20, 2021

READ MORE: Who was Eddie sitting with at the footy?

Melbourne held their nerve to secure an ugly 11.14 (80) to 8.10 (58) victory in front of 21,365 fans at the MCG.

Demons midfielder Christian Petracca showed why he’s been touted as a potential Brownlow Medal contender, contributing two goals and 23 disposals.

Meanwhile, Andrew Brayshaw was a standout performer for the Dockers with 29 disposals and a major.

Melbourne will next face St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, March 27th.