AFL: It’s the day Freo fans have dreamt about - and the game that could see Dockers players become immortals.
Grand final day is here, and it’s Fremantle’s second chance in club history to get their hands on the elusive premiership cup.
There’s forecast showers in Melbourne, but that won’t dampen the spirits of the Purple Army amid a massive throng of travelling fans.
Stay across all the news and developments on a HUGE grand final day here!
Key Events
‘Conditioned for pain’: Forlorn Freo fans
Long-time Dockers devotee Dan Huxtable, 53, said it was a difficult loss, but a great game overall.
“It was a great game of footy, hard way to lose in the last four minutes, but you know, that’s finals footy,” he said.
“I think the next generation will take it harder than us . . . the original supporters like us are conditioned for pain.”
Premiership pic
The moment Lions fans have had plenty of over the last three years.
But remember Freo fans, they lost one before that in brutal fashion.
Deflated fans’ mass exodus from Freo
Deflated fans have made a mass exodus from Fremantle following the grim loss, with many in disbelief that their beloved team’s luck had turned so cruelly.
“I feel devastated, I absolutely thought they had it,” Kate Marsie said.
“I can’t believe they stole so many points in such a short period of time. I just can’t comprehend it.”
Damien Marsie said wharfie time “did more damage than good”.
“I guess there’s always next year,” he said.
Skipper’s vow
Fremantle’s shattered captain Alex Pearce has pledged his side will “fight and be back here again” after their premiership dream turned into a grand final nightmare.
‘Hardest thing you can go through’
Caleb Serong cuts a despondant figure but he gives a great post-game interview.
He was very raw and admits they didn’t get the last three minutes right but backs the character of the Dockers to get back to the grand final.
He also revealed Justin Longmuir told the group how proud of them he is for their efforts.
Wharfie Time backfire?
Brisbane midfielder Josh Dunkley has revealed it was Fremantle’s Wharfie Time cry late in the fourth term that sparked their miraculous run to a third-straight grand final triumph.
The Rewind
Relive the final two minutes of the contest below.
Jeers and cheers
Lachie Neale getting his medal has brought about some noise as the Lions fans tried to drown out the boos from the Dockers faithful.
Neale didn’t have a big day after a last-minute reprieve on his suspension upon appeal but he stood up in some big moments, most notably in the final passage of play along the wing to stop Fremantle getting the ball back.
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