Each time the Dockers reach the finals, Fremantle, a gritty coastal city, gets swept up in an overwhelming wave of optimism.
Purple adorns the city’s iconic Cappuccino Strip and surrounding streets; cafes serve Dockers-themed sausages resembling bizarre culinary creations, while landmarks like the World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison glow with a soft plum hue.
What’s missing is the sound of Prince & The Revolution’s classic hit “Purple Rain” echoing throughout the central business district.
The excitement draws politicians from all parties, as local MPs don their team beanies and scarves, sharing football anecdotes and proudly expressing their commitment to the “home team”.
Businesses show their allegiance by draping their storefronts in inexpensive purple paint, papier-mâché, and balloon decorations. When Fremantle reached the preliminary final in 2013, the city council even painted its main street with chalk-based paint that quickly washed away after the first rain.
Citywide Celebrations Planned
Should the Dockers make it to the grand final this year, Fremantle has plans for a festive celebration reminiscent of New Orleans, closing off streets and setting up huge LED screens, expecting to draw over 30,000 attendees.
An exhilarating yet nervous energy permeates the city, fueled by dedicated fans who firmly believe this is their year. Although the Dockers have relocated south to Cockburn, for supporters, Fremantle remains the club’s true heart.
Community Support and Expectations
While the expansion of the AFL has fostered a diverse fanbase envied by other sporting codes, few teams enjoy the unwavering support of an entire city like the Dockers do. The sense of community among the Dockers’ loyal supporters has fostered intense expectations and a blind hope resulting from the team’s historical lack of success.
Longtime fans have developed a thick skin to cope with the club’s 31-year premiership drought. They have even fabricated their own legends, such as Flagmantle and Wharfie Time, to endure the ongoing football disappointments.
High Hopes for the Season
This season was anticipated to be different. The Dockers finished as minor premiers and entered the qualifying final against the Hawks undefeated at home and with the healthiest roster in the AFL.
However, by the end of the first quarter, Fremantle’s celebrated gameplan was completely exposed by Hawthorn, struggling to handle the Hawks’ intense pressure.
The 32-point defeat underestimated the Dockers’ performance, who were outmatched in every aspect of the game.
While Brisbane has shown that a loss in a qualifying final doesn’t have to be detrimental, Fremantle likely feels the weight of that heavy defeat.
Moreover, there’s the unsettling possibility of making unwanted history: If Fremantle loses to Geelong on Friday night, they will become only the second team since 1983 to exit in straight sets after securing the minor premiership.
This is a more significant burden than it might appear. Just ask Adelaide. Reports suggest that the Crows considered firing Matthew Nicks if they didn’t defeat the Bulldogs last week, following their two finals losses in 2025 after finishing at the top of the ladder.
Justin Longmuir has had an impressive season, yet the Dockers have lost their last two finals at home. Now, they are set to face a Geelong team that thrives in the high-pressure environment of finals football.
However, with the Lions suffering a heavy defeat against the Swans in their qualifying final, the Dockers may feel their path to the grand final remains open. The club needs to create some history to achieve this; not since West Coast in 2006 has a team lost a qualifying final after finishing on top of the ladder and gone on to win the flag.
Supporters are hopeful that a victory is possible. The semi-final at Optus Stadium sold out in just 27 minutes. Even as an Eagles supporter, I admire the steadfast loyalty of the purple army.
Let’s not forget that a month ago, the Dockers were seen as hot flag favorites, having only lost two games up until that point in the season. For much of the year, Fremantle played with style and flair, characterized by dynamic rebounding defenders, influential midfielders, and the most effective forward line in the league.
All the essential elements for winning a premiership are present. The question remains whether the Dockers can contend with a Geelong team hardened by finals experience and currently on a seven-game winning streak.
Geelong will have to face the challenge of 60,000 passionate fans, along with a Fremantle staff member poised to activate the Wharfie Time switch. If the Dockers triumph over the Cats, they will feel confident against a Sydney team struggling through a challenging period in its history.
Then comes the grand final. A victory would lead to an enormous celebration in the port city.
Conversely, if the Dockers fall short, the city will stow away the purple paint, conceal their sausage recipes, and recite the hopeful mantra that has echoed through local pubs and cafes for the past three decades.
There is always next year.
