While Pearce to the forward line will work, he would have the same problems Tabs is having, and would not be any more value. As a defender, you can go for the ball with one option, to go forward to a teammate, and opponents aren't focussed totally on stopping you getting the ball.. As a tall forward it becomes a lot more complicated, with all opponents around you trying to scrag, drag, and chop you. Their focus is on you and the ball, not getting a goal.