Fremantle captain Alex Pearce has described what was going through his head in the build-up to his crucial, match-saving smother in the win over the Crows. 

Speaking to 6PR following the win, Pearce described the battle as a war of attrition, with the entire defensive group standing up in pivotal moments to help secure the victory. 

“I was absolutely out on my feet,” Pearce said of his smothering effort. 

“I haven’t been playing many minutes these last few games, I’ve just been building, and I was looking at the bench midway through that last quarter because my calves were getting tight. 

“Thankfully, we had a couple of injury breaks which meant I could stay on the field. 

“We had a couple of moments before where we just held on. I saw it spill, and I didn’t think I was going to get there, but thankfully it just gave me half a second. 

“As defenders, you’ve just got to throw your body at it. 

“We had to repel another attack and get it out, and the ball was living in our back half for those last couple of minutes. 

“But yeah, the siren went and I got swamped by the boys, and I thought I was going to pass out.” 

Matching up on Crows key forward Riley Thilthorpe for the majority of the clash, Pearce helped restrict him to 15 disposals, three marks, and a goal. 

Pearce said the challenge for defenders is staying in the game for all four quarters. 

“I knew going in I couldn’t get into a nice little wrestle, and I had to use a bit of my agility, timing, and reactions,” Pearce said. 

“Games of footy are a war of attrition, and you’ve just got to be able to keep backing up moment after moment. 

“Especially as a defender, you can play well for three quarters, or 90% of the game, but if you make a couple of errors, it can cost you. 

“I knew I just had to stick at it and make sure I could make a play at the end. 

“That’s what we kept saying as a defensive group, you’ve just got to concentrate, be ready to make a play, and stand up. And I think we did that.” 

Longmuir echoed Pearce’s thoughts on the backline’s defensive efforts late in the game. 

“I thought he (Heath Chapman) was outstanding all night, especially early,” Longmuir said. 

“I thought our backs were really proactive. They backed themselves to go at the contest and win it. 

“He led the way there, but I thought all our backs had some really strong moments against a really good side. 

“Jordan Clark had a big moment late in the game where he was able to get a fingernail in and force a stoppage at half-back rather than allowing them to re-enter.” 

Fremantle’s win over the Crows is the first of two consecutive trips to South Australia. 

The side will return in Round 5 to face Collingwood on Friday 10 April at Adelaide Oval as part of Gather Round.