Fremantle Docker Corey Wagner says players expect the type of contact that sent Alex Pearce to AFL Tribunal

Fremantle midfielder Corey Wagner has declared he would have no problem being on the wrong end of the same type of collision that left captain Alex Pearce with a three week suspension as the Dockers prepare to fight the case at the AFL Tribunal. The AFL Match Review Officer offered Pearce a three-game ban for the collision which left Port Adelaide’s Darcy Byrne-Jones with concussion. Byrne-Jones ran back with the flight of the ball in an attempt to take a mark, Pearce was running towards the footy and the pair collided. The incident was described as careless conduct with high contact and severe impact. But Wagner said players understand they need to put their body on the line during games and he wouldn’t expect an opponent to treat him any differently to the way Pearce contested the mark with Byrne-Jones. “The AFL is the toughest sport in the world so you are expecting him to come through,” Wagner said. “You’re not going to stop and let him hit you. They’re hard ones. It is the sport we play. Some might get weeks and some might not. Hopefully Alex gets off but if not, (you’ve) got to keep it consistent. “There’s not much he could have done so they’ll fight it and see what we can do. It’s very hard. It’s a contact sport. You’ve got to brace for those positions. If he pulls out he gets criticised for not being hard enough. It’s a hard one. It’s a moment-by-moment sort of thing.” The hearing is expected to be on Tuesday and if the Dockers are unsuccessful with their case, Pearce will miss games against Gold Coast, North Melbourne and Essendon. The Suns have Coleman Medal contender Ben King as their spearhead, with the forward kicking 31 goals despite Gold Coast having played one fewer game than the rest of the league. Josh Draper looms as Pearce’s most likely replacement after playing the first eight games of the season. Wagner said he would do the job if needed. “We’ve got full confidence in Drapesy,” Wagner said. “He’s a star and when he gets going and he’s got his confidence, he’s one of the best we’ve got here. We saw it last year and we saw it at the start of the year. Confidence is the key for him. When he comes in, he’ll have a crack.” Wagner helped to promote the club’s Dockers Supporting Fremantle Dockers campaign from DP World on Monday with three 20-foot shipping containers set to appear around Perth. Indigenous artist Tyrown Waigana was responsible for the design. “It’s beautiful artwork that Tyrown did for us. It looks awesome. It’s beautiful. It just brings the fan support and to know we are engaging with them,” Wagner said.