Pearce appeared on a panel titled "Protecting the Places we Play" before an audience of about 200 people at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, alongside AFLW St Kilda player Nicola Barr, who moderated and asked how much say players should have when a sponsor's values do not align with their own.
"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," Pearce said.
Woodside has sponsored the Dockers since 2010, and a 2023 petition urging the club to drop the sponsor attracted 8,000 signatures. Recently, Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker, Fremantle's number one ticket holder, was spotted wearing the team jersey on tour with the Woodside logo blocked out.
Pearce acknowledged such decisions are usually made at boardroom level and can be out of fans' hands, but pointed to instances where public opinion had affected change. "The fact that I'm up here getting asked that question, it's a little bit uncomfortable, but I think is a great thing," he said.
He also spoke about climate change and the future of sport, saying he was frightened at the thought of young athletes in Australia not being able to play outdoor summer sport as temperatures rise. He noted that professional clubs have medical teams and resources that community sporting teams do not, and questioned whether clubs have a duty of care to help junior and community groups play and train safely.