Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Fremantle has recalled inspirational captain Alex Pearce for Saturday night’s clash with two-time reigning premier at the Gabba.
In a major boost for the Dockers as they aim to extend their club record winning run to 11 games, Pearce returns after two matches on the sidelines with a minor knee injury.
Pearce did not train with the main group on Thursday, but was on the plane as the Dockers look to claim their first win at the Lions’ home fortress in a decade.
Veteran defender Oscar McDonald made way for Pearce, but was on the flight to Queensland as a travelling emergency.
Jeremy Sharp also boarded the plan in a 25-player squad, along with Caleb Serong who had already been ruled out with a calf injury.
Hayden Young was given another week to recover as he works his way through concussion protocols.
Young was given a fitness test at the club’s Cockburn headquarters during a closed session on Thursday morning. He suffered the concussion during a training session two weeks ago.
Ruck Sean Darcy was also left out as flagged and is set to play around 80 minutes for Peel Thunder in the WAFL as he returns from a concussion and calf complaints.
Young and Darcy have endured a wretched run with injuries across the past three campaigns.
Young featured in just nine games in 2025, and so far has only played five this year. Darcy played 15 games in 2023, 12 in 2024, and 17 last year. He has not played since round six against Collingwood this season.
Darcy will take on West Coast’s reserves side at Mineral Resources Park on Sunday, where he will be matched up with Eagles ruck Matt Flynn.
Brisbane made three changes following a 78-point defeat to GWS in Sydney last round, which included conceding an AFL record 14 goals to the Giants in the third term.
Gun midfielder Jarrod Berry, West Australian first-year player Cody Curtin and defender Noah Answerth were recalled, with backman James Tunstill, midfielder Sam Marshall and forward Will McLachlan all omitted.
Brisbane had already copped a huge injury blow, with coach Chris Fagan confirming dual premiership half-back Dayne Zorko could miss a further six weeks with a quad injury.
Zorko has missed the past two matches and was expected to be unavailable for another two before scans on Wednesday delivered even worse news.
The Lions are already missing first-choice players Eric Hipwood (knee), Jack Payne (knee), Oscar Allen (foot), Ryan Lester (calf) and Lincoln McCarthy (hamstring).
The Lions are $1.74 on TABtouch, while they are offering $2.10 for the Dockers.
Brisbane Lions v Fremantle
Saturday, Gabba, 4.15pm
LIONS
B: K Coleman H Andrews D Gardiner
HB: D Wilmot T Gallop B Reville
C: J Berry H McCluggage Z Bailey
HF: C Cameron L Morris L Ashcroft
F: S Draper C Rayner K Lohmann
FOLL: D Fort J Dunkley L Neale
I/C: J Flecther W Ashcroft C McKenna C Curtin N Answerth
EMG: J Tunstill S Brain D Joyce
IN: J Berry C Curtin N Asnwerth
OUT: J Tunstill S Marshall W McLachlan (all omitted)
DOCKERS
B: B Cox A Pearce H Chapman
HB: J Clark L Ryan J McVee
C: M Frederick A Brayshaw N O’Driscoll
HF: M Reid I Dudley S Switkowski
F: P Voss J Amiss J Treacy
FOLL: L Jackson S Bolton M Johnson
I/C: K Worner C Wagner N Erasmus S Scerri M Cox
EMG: J O’Meara J Sharp O McDonald
IN: A Pearce
OUT: O McDonald (omitted)
