Alex Pearce may be sidelined for at least next week’s clash with Essendon by a knee injury — but Fremantle have three in-form replacements competing for the chance to replace the injured captain.

As coach Justin Longmuir watched on, Hugh Davies, Oscar McDonald and Josh Draper each continued fine WAFL seasons with strong showings in Peel Thunder’s six-point win over East Perth at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Saturday.

Davies finished with 19 disposals and nine marks, including a pair of strong one-on-one intercepts opposed to former teammate Sebit Kuek in the first term.

McDonald — who featured in the first two games of the AFL season but has been unable to crack back into the senior side since — got involved in plenty of offensive chains throughout a 17-disposal first half before being quieter in the second.

While shuffling between a number of different defensive roles and also competing as a back-up ruckman, Draper used his closing speed to shut down some dangerous Royals attacks.

After the game, Peel coach Adam Read told The West Australian he believed the trio would each be able to do a fine job in covering for Pearce if called upon.

“I’d be stoked for any of them,” Read said.

“JL and the match committee, they’ve got a tough decision next week on who they pick, because they’ve all been playing well and they all deserve a shot at AFL level.

“I can’t question their ability to remain on task when they come here and not let selection get to them. They know the best thing for them is to play their role, stay ready, and when opportunities arise, because they’ve been able to work their way through that, now they’ve put themselves in the best spot to get selected.”

Davies has played two senior games across his fourth year with the club, which both came towards the back end of their 2024 campaign in the absence of the injured Brennan Cox.

The 21-year-old has been in fine form for the Thunder, averaging 18.8 disposals and eight marks per game across his six appearances in the State league so far this season.

Read said the Claremont product was continuing to improve with each game he played at the level.

“He is such a level-headed guy and such a team player. He’s such a big part of the alignment and of Peel — he’s a premiership player, he’s played a lot of footy here. This is like his second home,” he said.

“He’s not shown any frustration. He’s come down, played his role, been a leader. He’s been exceptional.”

McDonald had spent recent weeks playing as a forward for the Thunder, but was swung back to defence against the Royals.

When asked how much of the thinking behind move was to give him a chance to press his claim to replace Pearce, Read replied: “A little bit.”

“It was more the balance of the team. Jack Sears, our captain, he was back last week, and we just wanted to get him forward,” he said.

“With their potent forward line, with (Mitch) Schofield, (Ben) Middleton, (Sebit) Kuek and (Tom) Medhat, we needed the coverage, so Oscar goes back and helps balance out that area.”

One Dockers defender who will not feature in the race to replace Pearce is the smaller Brandon Walker, who has entered concussion protocols for the second time within the span of two weeks after suffering a head knock against the Royals.

Before saying he was unsure if Walker would now spend a longer period on the sidelines given the proximity of the concussions, Peel coach Adam Read said he was disappointed for the 23-year-old.

“The poor guy, he was looking good, he’d had a great week on the track and I thought he jumped into the game really nicely,” Read said.

“I’ll let the medical staff handle that and see what they say.”