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!
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.
Sean 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.
Duursma’s cheeky Freo message
Derby rivalries are still running deep on grand final day, with West Coast’s Willem Duursma saying the Eagles are living ‘rent-free’ in Dockers heads as they chase their first flag.
Chasing immortality
Fremantle are one win away from creating history and erasing decades of pain. But we should never forget what the former players, and those who missed out this year, have done along the way.
This will get you pumped
It’s raining
We’re still a few hours away from the first ball up, but the rain is falling heavily at the MCG, which will make for a tricky game.
Both coaches were asked if late changes were on the cards given the conditions, but both said they had no plans to tinker with their line-up.
Between 2-9mm of rain are expected to fall on Saturday, with a potential downpour between 1pm and 3pm.
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