After kicking the goal - just his fifth of his nine-year AFL career - Pearce was visibly moved as he saluted and pointed to the sky.
“(Breathes deeply) it’s alright. It’s been tough. A couple of weeks ago it was a really hard game to get through,” he said of McCarthy.
“Yeah I was nervous going back when I had it.
“My hands were a little bit shaky. I did think ‘Cam would kick this’, so yeah I was happy. It was for him.
“I’m just so proud of everyone to be honest.”
Pearce said it was hard to describe the final minutes of the contest with the Magpies, given the Dockers had fought from 25 points down to come within a point.