Dying stages, the loud house packed, who do you want kicking for goal to win the game?
Had former Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray still been playing then the trustworthy forward-midfielder would have been in a battle for the number one spot with recently retired West Coast midfielder Dom Sheed's flag-winning left foot.
But since both are now out of the game, Zero Hanger decided to canvass the AFL landscape in search of the league's most clutch footballer. Both Essendon and Carlton players were banned from the list given the head noise that seems to be reverberating around the inner sanctums of both clubs.
Below is the definitive list ranked 10-1 of who we would trust the most to seal the deal with a goal - whether on the run or set shot - late in the game.
7Alex Pearce (Fremantle)
A shock selection to some, and with perhaps a touch of recency bias, but Dockers skipper Pearce is a must have on this list.
The injury plagued key defender has come up clutch for Fremantle in recent years, and in particular, he has done it against those who call South Australia home.
Whether it be last Friday when he produced a game-winning smother against Adelaide, or in 2025 when he kicked a last-minute set shot goal to win the match against Port Adelaide, Pearce can be trusted to perform when the game is on the line.
Having copped criticism during his captaincy tenure over whether he was the right choice to lead Fremantle's rebirth, Pearce has proven, when fit, he is the clutch player Freo needs to go for a deep September run.
