Former Western Bulldogs player Daniel Pearce has swapped football fields for fire trucks – and he couldn’t be happier.
The 23-year-old says he always knew his footy career wasn’t going to last forever, but when he was de-listed at the end of the 2015 AFL season, he knew he had to get serious about his future plans.
He talked with friends and family, pondered what he found most satisfying, both inside and outside football, and signed up for firefighting.
Mr Pearce said one of the main things he liked about playing footy was the feeling of having a “second family”.
“That’s what lead me to the CFA. Working in this type of environment, the guys and girls at the station become like your second family as well.”
Mr Pearce started his first shift with the Melton brigade last Wednesday and says he is looking forward to working in a team environment.
“That’s what I most liked about football – working towards reaching a goal,” he said.
While Mr Pearce has no plans to once again play professional football, he says he’s looking forward to kicking a few goals at a less lofty level.
