Fremantle are backing Alex Pearce to steer clear of any more serious injuries after re-signing the star defender for a further three years.
Fremantle have locked away star defender Alex Pearce for a further three years, but the AFL futures of Rory Lobb and Griffin Logue remain up in the air.
Pearce's strong form and ability to stay relatively injury free over the past year was rewarded on Friday when he signed a new deal that ties him to the club until the end of 2025.
It's a big show of faith by Fremantle in Pearce, whose promising career was stalled in round nine, 2016 when he broke a leg.
He endured 672 days out between 2016 and 2018 after suffering a second fracture, and then another 658 days out between 2019 and 2021 due to a broken ankle.
But Pearce has become a fixture in the side since regaining full fitness midway through last season.
The 27-year-old has missed one game this year, with his ability to shutdown the opposition's best forwards proving crucial to Fremantle's rise up the ladder.
Pearce said his long injury lay-offs had been character-building, and he now feels mentally stronger after getting through those challenges.
"It's definitely shaped who I am and changed me as a person," Pearce said ahead of Saturday's clash with St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.
"I feel more well-rounded from what I used to be when I was younger.
"I enjoy a lot more of life outside of football, I'm more engrossed in my uni, music and different things that help me have a break from being focused on footy all the time.
"I think that's a lot healthier for me and on the field, I'm very appreciative of every second I get out there."
While Pearce's future is locked away, speculation is rife that Lobb could seek a trade away at the end of the year.
Lobb, who unsuccessfully sought a trade back to GWS last year, is contracted until the end of 2023, and he has been linked with the Bulldogs, Giants, and Melbourne.
Logue is out of contract this year, with a host of clubs interested in his services.
The 24-year-old was squeezed out of the side twice earlier this season due to the presence of Pearce and Brennan Cox in defence.
Logue's shift to the forward line over the past six weeks has shown promising signs, but it remains to be seen whether he will stick with the Dockers or seek greater opportunities elsewhere.
Fremantle's pursuit of Luke Jackson has complicated matters, with a bidding war set to erupt over the star Demons big man.
