Fremantle players have paid tribute to one another and their supporters after the Dockers’ seven-point grand final defeat by Brisbane, with retiring forward Sam Switkowski leading messages of thanks to the club’s “Purple Army”.
The team returned to Perth on Sunday, less than 24 hours after the Lions secured the premiership. The club has confirmed there will be no official supporters’ event, despite thousands of Fremantle fans travelling to Melbourne for the grand final and taking over the city during the week.
Switkowski, who announced before the finals that he would retire at the end of the season, wrote an open letter to supporters after the loss.
“I’ve been blown away by your love and support,” he wrote. “I’ve felt it every step of the way, but this past month has been something I never could have expected.”
The 30-year-old said he had previously assumed supporters might not fully understand the contribution of a player in a specialist role.
“When you play a niche role inside a football club you assume everyone on the outside doesn’t fully understand and appreciate your job. I couldn’t have been more wrong,” he wrote.
“I’ve read every one of the hundred messages you’ve sent me, I’ve heard your cheers and kind words.”
Switkowski thanked the Fremantle faithful for celebrating his career and backing the team through its run to the premiership decider.
“Thank you for showing up, thank you for riding the highs and lows with us, and thank you for the memories,” he wrote. “You truly are the best fans in the country, proven by the gratitude and love you’ve sent us following the grand final.”
He added: “Fremantle will forever hold a place in my heart. I can’t wait to watch this club win its inaugural premiership.”
Several of Switkowski’s former team-mates responded to his message, with forward Pat Voss describing him as “the best teammate” and All Australian ruckman Luke Jackson writing: “Love ya Switta.”
Fremantle players promise to return
Second-year player Murphy Reid posted a photograph of the Dockers gathered in the middle of the Melbourne Cricket Ground after the defeat, captioning it: “brothers”.
“We will be back. Love you purple army,” Reid wrote.
Voss, who kicked a goal to put Fremantle more than two goals ahead with four minutes and 18 seconds remaining, said he was “proud to run out there with these boys”. His message added: “Winners lose too, they just don’t stay down.”
Jackson said he was “shattered” by the result but remained “so proud of what we’ve achieved this year”.
“Thank you Purple Army. This year wouldn’t have been as special without you,” he wrote.
Wingman Neil Erasmus described himself as “devastated” but “grateful for this group, club and army”. Small forward Isaiah Dudley added: “Freo army, love you,” while utility Corey Wagner wrote: “Thank you Purple Army, you were amazing!”
Fremantle supporters had travelled to Melbourne in large numbers, dominating the grand final parade on Friday and filling the MCG with purple on Saturday despite the east coast weather.
A week of celebrations, including a purple parade through Fremantle, had been planned in the event of a maiden premiership. Those arrangements were abandoned after Brisbane’s victory.
Last year’s runners-up Geelong held a supporters’ day at Kardinia Park, while West Coast staged a similar event at Subiaco Oval after losing the 2015 grand final to Hawthorn.
The Dockers’ players are now on leave, with exit meetings expected during the week. Some, including injured captain Alex Pearce, were seen at Perth pubs on Sunday night, but the players largely kept a low profile during Monday’s public holiday in Western Australia.
Fremantle players, staff and officials will reunite on Saturday night for the club’s best and fairest award, the Doig Medal, at Crown. Jackson is the favourite to claim his first club champion award, with three-time winner Caleb Serong also among the leading contenders.
