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!
Caleb Serong speaks
“At the hotel I was feeling it a bit but now that we’re here the nerves have settled,” he says.
“Everybody’s a little bit different. The advice from the guys that have been there is just be yourself, and I’ve just tried to keep a smile on my face.
“They’ve got so many guys that can hurt you so you don’t want to fixate on one but we do want to go at them.
“I’m just really happy to be here and just want to crack in here.”
Serong was the first out on the ground. As the stage is prepared for Kylie Minogue, Serong is warming up and kicking the ball to himself.
He even acknowledged some fans in the crowd who were giving their utmost support
Chris Fagan speaks
“You always feel like you’re a little bit not part of it because I never played, but I don’t think about it too much,” he says.
“I think the review after the Sydney game was a fierly blunt fierce reviwe but genrally speaking they’re a good and selfless group but on that day personal glory overruled team effectiveness.
“No, I don’t think (we’ll make a late change), we’ll stick with the team that we’ve got and we’re accustomed to slippery conditions, but it’s going to make for a pretty tight scrap.”
Rove is fired up
Craig O’Donoghue has caught up with the Dockers superfan.
Grand Final tips
The West Australian and 7News football experts have their say on the winner, margin and medallist in today’s AFL grand final.
The purple army is marching on the G
An MCG marriage
A Perth couple could be in for the ultimate day after getting married outside the MCG in the hours before the game.
Danni Bloomfield and Matt Abbott have been together for 15 years but took the ultimate opportunity to make it official.
Draped in Dockers scarves, the two tied the knot and could be in for the ultimate honeymoon if Fremantle can end a 32-year wait later this afternoon.
The road back from 2013
It’s been a long road back to the grand final since Freo’s sole appearance in the decider at the end of 2013. Here’s the year-by-year snapshot of their winding journey back to the ‘G.
Shaun McManus speaks
Fremantle’s premiership cup presenter is feeling plenty of nerves.
“I’m completely sick I feel horrible, and it’s got to the point it’s now in my stomach,” he says.
“But I’m so excited for the boys, for me to be able to play with the Dockers and ride the highs and lows, to get back on the big stage is such a big moment for the club.
“It will be absolutely anarchy in Fremantle if we win and we will tear the MCG stands down.”
Wallabies will be watching
The Wallabies may be in Perth ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster against South Africa at Optus Stadium, but their eyes will be on Melbourne on Saturday.
The team are planning to watch the big game once their captain’s run is complete, with coach Les Kiss having joked about moving around meetings to watch the game.
Wallabies skipper and proud Brisbane Lions fan Harry Wilson is unsurprisingly tipping his side to come home with the chocolates, ending his pre-game press conference with “Will Ashcroft, Norm Smith, 27 disposals, one goal”
First look at the G from the Dockers
Given the scenes at training yesterday, Fremantle fans are expected to outnumber their Lion counterparts today.
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