New Fremantle Dockers Leadership Adviser Damian Martin reveals what makes Alex Pearce a brilliant captain

Former Perth Wildcats captain and new Fremantle Dockers Leadership Adviser Damian Martin has described key defender Alex Pearce as inspirational and said his approach to the game is the reason why he was picked as skipper for the third season in a row. Fremantle announced Pearce as captain on Monday with Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw to remain his deputies. Martin only joined the Dockers in a new leadership position this pre-season after captaining the Wildcats to five championships and one losing grand final during eight years in the position. Martin, he’d been blown away by Pearce’s impact on the Dockers while focusing on his own recovery from a broken arm. “Initially what stood out in the early days - pre-season is so long - was that he led by example,” Martin told The West Australian’s The Dribble Podcast. “You come back for the pre-season running and conditioning sessions and those time trials just look horrible. “Alex was coming back from a serious injury at the back end of last season. His off-season hasn’t been smooth sailing, but he’s still been the ultimate pro in finding ways to stay fit. “For him to win the last time trial when everybody is knackered - he was top five in the first two and wins the last one. Then we go and train and he’s jumping over the back and trying to spoil. “He is so inspirational with how he trains and then he backs it up. He won’t always have something to say but when he does have something to say he is usually spot on. He is a pretty easy guy to follow.” Martin said Pearce and current Wildcats captain Jesse Wagstaff had amazing similarities with their approach to sport with their professionalism, intelligence and calm nature standing out. The Dockers only made one change to their leadership group with Josh Treacy included for the first time. Treacy, 22, had a breakout season last year, kicking 45 goals and giving the team a huge physical presence. Martin said there was one clear thing that stood out to him. “His competitive nature,” Martin said. “He just wants nothing but good things for this footy club and he wants to make sure he is not the reason something bad was to happen to the club, whether it is in games, whether it is in moments or whether it is outside of a game and at training. “He just gives his all to this club, doesn’t take any shortcuts whatsoever, lives breathes the trademark, lives and breathes the culture and he verbalises it in his own way. He’s such a competitive beast that he demands such high standards and will hold others accountable to it, but he’s very tough on himself also.”