Fremantle fans are daring to dream after the Dockers pulled off a gutsy come-from-behind victory against top-four fancies Hawthorn on Thursday night.

In front of a pulsating Optus Stadium, the Dockers came from more than 20 points behind in the final term to pull off a 15-point heist in front of their home fans.

And after years of heartache and falling at the last hurdle, Fremantle fans believe destiny is now on their side after eight wins in a row.

But they are holding back the ‘Flagmantle’ cry, for now, that burst to life in 2022 when the young Dockers made a run to September.

Many are hailing Fremantle’s “Wharfie Time” graphic that plays to rev up the crowd during pivotal moments for helping turn the tide on Thursday night, with one fan comparing the dying moments to the energy experienced during the 2022 elimination final against Western Bulldogs, as well as when the Perth Scorchers won their fifth Big Bash League title in dramatic fashion.

“Was at the 2022 EF comeback. Was at Hobson’s winning runs in the BBL12 final. Was at Behich’s last-minute winner to send the Socceroos to the World Cup. And I honestly think that last 15 minutes was the loudest I’ve heard Optus Stadium before, amazing,” JordanK wrote on X following the victory.

It wasn’t only the fans buying into “Wharfie Time” with Channel 7 expert Kane Cornes saying it’s “the best in-stadium innovation” he’s seen.

“My word, was it one of the great experiences in-game that I’ve seen!” he said on SEN.

“They only play it when the game’s close in the last quarter. But every club is looking for an advantage, a home-ground advantage. We’ve seen ‘Never Tear Us Apart’; other clubs are doing other things, like Brisbane with their goal songs.

“Wharfie Time is the best in-stadium innovation that I have seen. I reckon that had a major impact on lifting the players to get them over the line.

“Whoever thought of that, congratulations, you got them a win.”

Speaking in the moments after the dramatic victory, Dockers fans couldn’t hide their excitement on The West Australian’s roaming mic.

One fan encouraged fans to “book flights to Melbourne” for the grand final, while others could only scream in delirium.

Another fan shouted “fear the purple” as Hawthorn fans struggled to come to grips with letting their lead slip away.

Star Fremantle ruckman Luke Jackson earned his fair share of praise after a match-sealing smother allowed Michael Frederick to kick the sealer.

Some fans labelled him the AFL’s best ruck, with one fan writing “you’re a beast, Jacko, and we love you” on The West Sport’s Facebook page.

Star Dockers midfielder Caleb Serong believes there’s better to come, claiming Fremantle are yet to put together a four-quarter effort.

“They are an incredible side, Hawthorn, and we knew they were a measuring stick for where we are at,” he told Channel 7 post-match.

“We were super-excited this week about seeing where we’re at. We’ve played some good footy, we think we’re going at about 80 per cent of what we’re capable of at the moment, and we’ve probably just won on moments in the last few weeks.

“So we want to put a four-quarter performance together and whilst it probably wasn’t that (against the Hawks), the grind and the way we ran that out was special.”

Serong said belief was as firm as it’s ever been at the Dockers from the first person selected to the last.

“We’ve got buy-in from 23 at any one time playing out here that just do what’s required,” he added.

“Sometimes it’s not pretty. We’ve just got guys who are ready for it and just want to do whatever it takes to win. We’ve got countless leaders who are doing it and just setting the example for everyone.

“If the leader and vice-captain are willing to do it, then everyone is.”

Former player David King has even come around on the Dockers as well, declaring he believes they are the “real deal” in 2026.

“Of course they are, of course they are,” he said on SEN.

“I look at this line-up, and they have got a handful of players - not many teams have got a handful - that when the game is declared an emergency, you need someone to rip the game from the opposition.

“Caleb Serong does it in last quarters regularly. We saw Luke Jackson do it last night. We saw Murphy Reid get involved and do it. We saw Shai Bolton get involved and do it. Hayden Young was just pressing all night, trying to have that big moment. We saw Josh Treacy throwing himself at packs.

“I look at them, and I think that’s growth. They don’t wait for the game to come to them. They don’t wait for an opportunity. They chase it. You can almost feel the energy lifting. The crowd played a part, obviously.”