Dockers still the hunters: Pearce
Hawthorn may have drifted four wins off top spot, but ladder leaders Fremantle are still chasing the back-to-back premiers, according to midfielder Danyle Pearce.
The Dockers have been installed as premiership favourites on the back of their 8-0 record, which has them two wins clear of their nearest challenger on top of the ladder.
Pearce said they were having no trouble maintaining the rage in 2015, given the lack of silverware in Fremantle’s trophy cabinet.
“We’re still hunting,” he said. “We can’t put our hand up and say we’ve done anything. That’s where the hunger is. We’re striving like 17 other teams to win a premiership. Hawthorn are the back-to-back premiers. They’re the ones everyone’s chasing.”
The Dockers take on sixth-placed Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, and Pearce admitted he still got excited about taking on the Crows after years of playing against them in showdowns when he was with Port Adelaide.
The Crows will be without key midfielders Rory Sloane (cheekbone), Richard Douglas (foot) and Brad Crouch (foot).
“It just gives us more homework to do,” Pearce said. “We’ve got to make sure we’re thorough with every aspect of the game.”
He nominated midfielders Scott Thompson, Patrick Dangerfield and ruckman Sam Jacobs as players they had to counter.
“They’re a great centre-bounce clearance team,” Pearce said. “They kick goals from the centre square.
“As a midfield group we’ve got to make sure we’re switched on and prepare for the battle this week.”
Pearce has sent the ball inside 50 more than any other player this season, with 50 to his name, and is equal with Hawks star Jordan Lewis with the highest average of 6.2 a game.
The 29-year-old, who has not missed a game since crossing from the Power at the end of 2012, said the whole team had benefited from an overhaul to its fitness program over the summer.
Pearce said he went out every week with confidence because he knew what to expect from his teammates.
“I can look at any man alongside me and they can look at me and know that we are going to do the job,” he said.
