Arabic version: بيرس يتجنب الجراحة بعد إصابة في النهائي الكبير

According to ABC News, Fremantle captain Alex Pearce will not require surgery after scans found he suffered a partial Achilles tendon tear and a significant calf strain in the AFL grand final loss to Brisbane.

The Dockers said they expect the key defender to return to training during the pre-season. Pearce was chasing early in the third quarter when he fell to the ground, before two trainers helped him from the field.

Pearce later hobbled past the premiership cup on crutches during the post-game presentations. Brisbane coach Chris Fagan and several Lions players offered their best wishes soon after the final siren.

Fremantle football boss Joe Brierty said the club was relieved that Pearce had not sustained a complete rupture. Coach Justin Longmuir said the loss of the Dockers’ defensive general had hurt the team, particularly during Brisbane’s late comeback.

Chief executive Simon Garlick also defended the club’s Wharfie Time activation, saying Brisbane had executed its plan exceptionally well and would have had that plan regardless of Wharfie Time.