Pears makes up the group of four key defenders at new coach John Worfold's disposal, alongside All Australians Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker, and ex-Saint James Gwilt.
He has played 70 games for the Bombers between a spate of serious injuries, including pancreas surgery and a navicular problem in his foot. His best return in a season was 23 games in 2009, his second year in the AFL.
Collingwood has overcome a sluggish start to defeat Port Adelaide by 42 points
AFL concedes umpiring error made in Draper non-call
While saying it was the correct approach at the time, the AFL has admitted an umpiring error was made in not penalising Sam Draper for holding the ball on Friday night
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Premiership Pie on GF glory, overcoming adversity, his best role
Billy Frampton's trade to Collingwood went all but unnoticed at the time, but he has now become an important part of the puzzle