Fremantle captain Alex Pearce not giving up on premiership dream as selection gamble backfires

Shattered Fremantle captain Alex Pearce isn’t giving up on his premiership dream after Friday night’s disastrous defeat to Hawthorn.

The Dockers kicked just one goal in the first half and five for the match as they were comprehensively outplayed by the ruthless Hawks, who cruised to a 32-point win.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Alex Pearce on Dockers’ finals loss to Hawthorn

The 40 points scored by Freo was the lowest they have managed all season.

The decision to recall Brandon Walker for just his second game of the season will inevitably be a huge talking point given he failed to see out the game.

Playing in just his fourth senior game in two years, the 23-year-old limped off the ground with assistance from a trainer after rolling his ankle late in the third quarter.

He appeared to be in tears on the bench as the fourth term started after being ruled out for the rest of the game.

The backman had been on the outer since Fremantle’s season-opening loss to Geelong but was a surprise inclusion at the expense of Judd McVee for the Optus Stadium home final.

And he was handed one of the toughest assignments in the game: shutting down superstar Hawks forward Nick Watson.

Walker held his own for much of the contest and had some strong moments offensively, including a blistering run through the middle of the ground that earned a standing ovation from the Dockers’ faithful.

But by three-quarter time, Watson had two goals and the Hawks were 33 points ahead and the game was effectively over.

Fremantle will now host the winner of the Geelong-Carlton clash next Friday night in a cut-throat semi-final. They will then have to travel for a preliminary final against either Sydney or Brisbane.

While they are still alive, the loss makes things incredibly difficult. The minor premiers were a perfect 13 from 13 at Optus Stadium this year and appeared perfectly placed to finally win their first flag.

Speaking immediately after the match, Pearce struggled to explain the flat performance.