Fremantle captain has started the new season in career-best form, adding another star forward to his list of scalps across the opening three rounds.
After putting the clamps on Lions spearhead Joe Daniher and North Melbourne ace Nick Larkey over the first fortnight, Pearce kept Adelaide sharpshooter goalless and to just seven touches throughout Friday night's 35-point win.
Those three forwards booted 61, 71 and 76 goals respectively in 2023, combining for 208 majors between them for the year.
The trio have failed to fire in coming up against Pearce, who not only looks to have returned to his 2022 form, but surpassed it.
Working in tandem with Luke Ryan on Justin Longmuir's last line, Pearce has pieced together a dominant opening three outings to set up a now highly-anticipated meeting with Carlton pair Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay at Gather Round.
The Dockers' team defence, led by Pearce and Ryan and structured under assistant coach Matthew Boyd, has buoyed Longmuir's early-season plans to see his side start the season with three wins from as many games.
"Our captain played an outstanding game. His ability to come off and impact and defend his direct man was unbelievable. So I thought he played a great game," the Fremantle coach said post-game on Friday.
"'Boydy' is doing a great job with the back six. They look really organised and they planned for the opposition really well. But I thought after quarter-time our team defence clicked into gear.
"Although they got through us at times, they got through us out wide. If we keep teams out of the corridor it makes it a bit easier for your backs.
"I thought they stood up really well. Not only did they defend really well, they were able to buffer Adelaide's pressure, which is a really strong part of their game."
A new element to the Dockers' rearguard is recent debutant Josh Draper, who gained the praise of Longmuir following his second game at the elite level.
Tasked with taming Adelaide forward Darcy Fogarty, Draper held his own despite giving up plenty of size against his direct opponent.
Under the tutelage of Ryan and Pearce, Draper has even begun to show signs of club great and former No.37 Michael Johnson in his short period in purple, according to his coach.
"He is really composed and he's defended really well," Longmuir said of the 20-year-old.
"He's like the old No.37 in some ways, he just finds a bit more time than some other players can.
"He's slotted in really well. I think he really enjoys playing with some of our more senior players down there who guide him really well. Pearcey and Luke play a lot in that backline and are able to guide him through his positioning and give him a lot of confidence.
"I thought he played really well on all sides of the ball."
Fremantle carry an unbeaten record into Round 4, where they'll face a 3-0 Carlton outfit in South Australia.
