Fremantle captain Alex Pearce used a rare goal to make a touching tribute to Cam McCarthy, on the eve of the anniversary of his former teammate and close friend’s passing.

Pearce was swarmed after he kicked a powerful goal early in the second quarter of the clash with Collingwood at Optus Stadium on Friday night.

WATCH THE MOMENT IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

As he celebrated the rare major, just the seventh of his 130-game career, Pearce kissed the tape on his right wrist three times and held it up to the sky in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment.

On the inside of the tape was the word “Dardy” - McCarthy’s nickname - written in permanent marker.

Pearce fought back tears last year when he kicked another rare goal that sealed a draw against the Pies in round 11, dedicating it to McCarthy.

Two weeks earlier, the Dockers had bravely taken to the field against Sydney, despite learning of McCarthy’s death only hours before the game.

“It’s been tough. A couple of weeks ago it was a really hard game to get through,” Pearce said at the time.

“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.”

McCarthy was tragically found unresponsive on May 9 last year and couldn’t be revived. He was only 29 years old.

A handful of Dockers players are wearing two black arm bands, including Pearce, one for McCarthy and the other to recognise the passing of Fremantle forward Isaiah Dudley’s uncle.