Fremantle midfielder Clancee Pearce was this week handed down a challenge from senior coach Ross Lyon to nullify Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak.
 
Pearce was Boak’s shadow throughout the game and the Port star was kept relatively quiet throughout the contest where Freo prevailed by seven points.

To tag, or not to tag? That is the question

The Freo midfielder has filled the tagging role in Ryan Crowley’s absence and Pearce was just happy to get the win.

“Obviously Port Adelaide are a quality side and it’s great to walk away with four points in round one,” Pearce said.
 
“I was assigned Travis Boak for this week to tag.
 
“It’s a new role and one that I’m learning every time I step out onto the field.
 
“It’s a new role and I’m cherishing it.”
 
Pearce had a tagging role in the NAB Challenge against Sydney but the midfielder didn’t run with any West Coast stars in the final pre-season hit-out.
 
“It’s good for the confidence,” he said.
 
“I’m just trying to play my part for the team.
 
“That’s just really it…giving great effort, that’s all Ross really asks for.”
 
Injuries saw Pearce play only nine games in 2014 but he didn’t stop training in the off-season to be better prepared for the new year.
 
“I worked pretty hard in the pre-season and it’s good reward to be able to play round one,” he said.
 
Freo will now travel to Simonds Stadium to take on rivals Geelong.

The Cats are stacked with plenty of quality midfielders, but Pearce isn’t sure who he will be assigned to just yet.
 
“Geelong is always a quality side,” he said.
 
“I don’t know who I’ll get or what the plan is yet…we’ll wait and see.”