A father-son selection at pick 56 in the 2023 national draft, Dear is the son of the late Norm Smith Medallist Paul Dear, and from 2026 wears his father's No.13 guernsey. The 195cm key forward announced himself with 25 majors in his debut 2024 season, then claimed the club's Most Promising Player award for 2025 despite injury limiting his year. He has played 31 AFL games and kicked 39 goals.