South Fremantle captain Chad Pearson says the club is the most connected it has ever been in his time at the club, ahead of his 150-game milestone this weekend.
New coach Craig White has had a sensational start to his maiden season coaching at South Fremantle, taking his side to a minor premiership after missing finals last year.
The Bulldogs have won all but one game this year, and will look to win another one this weekend to book their ticket into this year’s league decider at Optus Stadium.
The Colts and Reserves sides will also be playing finals this Saturday in a triple-header at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s match, Pearson says White has played an important role in instilling a one-club mentality at the Bulldogs throughout the season
“He’s come in with a strong message that we really want to share our time and be a one-club team. I think that’s shown throughout the preseason and the whole year,” he told SportFM.
“There’s a fair chunk of the Colts throughout the whole year that have stuck around and stuck through the ressies and league games.
“We like to give back as much as we can. We’re able to get down and have a good chunk of numbers down there on the weekend and watch them in their first final.
“For Whitey to come in and really bring the culture together, we want to make a connected group as possible. Throughout my time, it’s probably been the most connected group off-field, and I think that always eventuates on-field as well.”
Pearson will lead the side in his 150-game milestone this weekend in front of a home crowd against East Perth, the side he played on League debut in 2017.
The 27-year-old has already been granted life membership because of the COVID-19-interrupted 2020 season, with the club ruling any player who featured in that season and hit 130 games would be eligible. It was also that 2020 season that saw Pearson win his maiden flag.
“It’s obviously still a massive milestone,” he said.
“With the life membership being 130 now through South Fremantle, I got that middle of last year or at the start of the year, but then to be able to go on to reach 150 games is pretty special.
“To give back to the club, they’ve been fantastic for me from such a young age, through Colts all the way through, have really supported me.
“To try to give back and play as many games as possible and get to the 150 mark is something pretty special.”
South Fremantle will face East Perth, who are fresh off a 13-point win over Claremont in last weekend’s Qualifying Final at Revo Fitness Stadium.
Pearson says his side is looking forward to testing them this weekend.
“It was a close game and really took a lot of notes,” he said.
“It highlights where we need to be at. I think our one-wood this year has been our contest and pressure as well. So, it should be a red-hot game, and they really brought that.
“They’re in some really good form. It’s got to be exciting to test ourselves against them this weekend.”
IMAGE: Belinda Taylor