Alex Pearce: The Fremantle captain who pierced his own nose to break free from the AFL bubble

Key facts

• Alex Pearce pierced his own nose in 2021 using a needle from eBay, ice, and a couple of beers.
• He grew his hair long out of 'laziness' rather than as a fashion statement.
• Pearce co-hosted a music podcast with Triple J presenter Bridget Hustwaite called Fan to Fan.
• He is currently reading the Red Rising and Fourth Wing series, as well as books by Kazuo Ishiguro.
• Pearce led Fremantle to a 12-point comeback win against the Western Bulldogs in Round 8 after trailing by 26 points at quarter-time.
• He was drafted to Fremantle as an 18-year-old from Tasmania with cropped hair.
• Pearce does not watch footy shows or listen to footy podcasts, preferring to focus on his own preparation.

A self-inflicted act of rebellion

Alex Pearce, the Fremantle captain, once pierced his own nose with a needle bought on eBay, numbing the area with ice and a couple of beers. It was 2021, and the 30-year-old key defender admits boredom during the COVID-19 pandemic played a part. But the decision was not entirely impulsive; he had been contemplating it for a while. For Pearce, the piercing was more than a pandemic pastime. "I feel like it was a bit of a, not quite a protest, but more a reaction to the AFL bubble, which can be so restrictive and confined and regimented," he said. "It was more a oh, f*** it. I want to grow my hair long and do something different." His long curls, which have become as much a trademark as his defensive skills, he attributes simply to "laziness" — not wanting to get a haircut every month. Yet both his hair and piercings are deliberate expressions of a man determined not to be defined by his career.

From football-centric kid to holistic adult

Pearce's journey from a fresh-faced 18-year-old drafted from Tasmania to a 30-year-old captain has been one of self-discovery. "My whole childhood was centred around playing sport. And that was my whole identity," he recalled. "I've been in the space before where I'm simply the footballer who plays football, and that's all he does. And that set myself up for some really dark periods where I struggled through injury and rode the waves of form and team performance." He realised that to be at his best, he needed balance. "There's been periods in my 20s where I wasn't sure whether I was allowed to spend all my spare time engaging in listening to politics and music over the weekend instead of being fully committed to the AFL," Pearce said. "It's helped me to be happier." Now, he says, "Freedom" and "expression" are the bedrocks of his approach to life. He has learned to have football in his life, not as his life.

A voracious reader and music lover

Pearce is an avid reader, currently hooked on the Red Rising and Fourth Wing series, along with works by Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro. Reading is one of many interests that keep him grounded. "I understand when I need to put my time into football and preparation," he said. "And for me, that's not watching games through the weekend or watching any footy shows or listening to footy podcasts." His greatest indulgence, however, is music. He co-hosted a music podcast with Triple J presenter Bridget Hustwaite called Fan to Fan over the winter. Music, he says, allows him to "daydream" and provides a shared cathartic experience. "There's that feeling of being somewhere with, it might be 100 people or a 1000 people, but just all being captivated and just having this shared cathartic experience or sometimes just a freeing meditative experience," he explained.

Comeback wins and captain's pride

On the field, Pearce's leadership has been defined by resilience. In Round 8, Fremantle trailed the Western Bulldogs by 26 points at quarter-time before mounting a dramatic second-half comeback to win by 12 points. "From the first minute, it was a really hard game," Pearce said post-match. "They came out really hard. Their pressure was immense right from the start." He highlighted the team's ability to respond multiple times. "We needed to respond a couple of times throughout the game," he said. "I am really proud of how we were able to get ourselves on top and just sort of grind away." The final quarter saw Fremantle start strongly, only for the Bulldogs to surge again late. Holding their nerve, Pearce said, was a sign of the group's growth.

The philosophy behind the performance

Pearce's approach to football is methodical. "The night before a training session or a game, I'll reflect and write my focuses. And if there's any footage to watch, I'll make sure I watch that and have a clear understanding of how I'm going to show up the next day and review training. But then that's it," he said. He deliberately avoids the constant consumption of footy media that many players immerse themselves in. This disciplined separation allows him to maintain perspective. "When you're working within this sort of industry, and the same as society, you can feel like you have to behave in a certain way or do things a certain way," Pearce said. "For me, it's all about just the freedom to make a few different decisions and work out and be your best version of yourself and be really comfortable with that."

A citizen of the world, not just a footballer

Pearce's quest for identity extends beyond the field. He describes himself as someone who "doesn't just live and engage in this little football bubble but feels like a citizen of the world and Australia." His interests in politics and music, his reading, and his podcast all contribute to a life that is rich and varied. Attending live music gigs, he says, puts him on the other side of the fence, allowing him to experience what footy fans feel when they come to support him and his team. "There's no manual on how to engage in a concert. You get to just do whatever you want. You can sit at the back and listen. You can get in the front row and mosh out," he said. It is this holistic approach that has helped him navigate the pressures of being a high-profile athlete. By finding and expressing the best version of Alex Pearce the person, he has become a better Alex Pearce the footballer.

The bottom line

• Alex Pearce pierced his own nose in 2021 as an act of rebellion against the restrictive AFL bubble.
• He grew his hair long out of laziness, but it has become a symbol of his individuality.
• Pearce co-hosted a music podcast and is an avid reader of fiction, including works by Kazuo Ishiguro.
• He deliberately avoids footy shows and podcasts to maintain balance and focus.
• Under his captaincy, Fremantle has shown resilience, exemplified by a comeback win from 26 points down against the Western Bulldogs.
• Pearce's journey from a football-obsessed teenager to a holistic adult has been key to his happiness and performance.