Brief
Fremantle captain Alex Pearce says Woodside sponsorship makes him uncomfortable
Pearce told a panel that players can influence sponsor choices, but decisions sit with club boards.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Fremantle Dockers captain Alex Pearce told a panel at the Global Citizen NOW: Perth summit on October 19 that addressing the club’s long‑term sponsor Woodside at the event made him “uncomfortable”. Pearce, speaking to an audience of about 200, said the issue highlights how community opinion can shape sponsorship decisions, even though final authority rests with club boards.
What happened
During the Global Citizen NOW: Perth conference at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, moderator and AFLW St Kilda player Nicola Barr asked Pearce how he felt after the Dockers’ Grand Final loss and whether players should have a say when a sponsor’s values clash with their own. Pearce replied that he was “well physically and emotionally” and that the question was “hard to answer”. He noted that Woodside has been the Dockers’ major sponsor since 2010 and that a petition to end the partnership gathered 8,000 signatures in 2023 when the deal was up for renewal.
What the reports add
The article notes that Kevin Parker, frontman of Tame Impala and the Dockers’ number‑one ticket holder, recently performed in the United States while covering the Woodside logo on his jersey, signalling personal discomfort with the partnership. Pearce also referenced other instances where public pressure led to change, suggesting that fans and players can influence boardroom decisions.
What was said
“Look, I’m really glad that this is a hard question to answer, and I’m really glad that it’s a topic that’s discussed, and it’s controversial because I think it does show that within the community, we can have influence on who sponsors our teams and who sponsors different areas within our community,” Pearce told the panel, as reported by SMH.
“Often these decisions are made at boardroom level and are out of our hands and are out of the fans and members’ hands,” he added, emphasizing the limited direct power players have.
How it came about
Pearce’s comments follow the Dockers’ loss in the 2026 AFL Grand Final, a match covered by Felo News in earlier articles (Fremantle Dockers Grand Final loss). The sponsorship debate also ties back to a 2023 petition that sought to end Woodside’s involvement, reflecting ongoing community concern about the oil and gas company’s alignment with a club that promotes clean‑energy initiatives.
Key facts
- Alex Pearce said Woodside sponsorship makes him uncomfortable (smh.com.au)
- Woodside has sponsored the Fremantle Dockers since 2010 (smh.com.au)
- A 2023 petition to end the Woodside deal was signed by 8,000 people (smh.com.au)
- Pearce spoke at the Global Citizen NOW: Perth event to an audience of about 200 (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “‘Uncomfortable’: Fremantle captain Alex Pearce speaks out on Woodside sponsorship”
