Fremantle Grand Final fever has reached the streets of the port city, with supporters meeting club legends and turning their cars purple ahead of Saturday’s clash.
Fans walking through Fremantle on Monday were treated to an encounter with former favourites Hayden Ballantyne and Shaun McManus, while one devoted supporter has taken her colours on to the road in a purple car named after captain Alex Pearce.
Jeanette Hankinson, a Fremantle member for 20 years, said meeting the two former players was an unforgettable moment.
“I found my two favourite players of all over the years. How cool is that?” she said.
Ms Hankinson had previously taken a photograph with McManus at Bunnings, but said the latest meeting was even more special. She plans to watch Saturday’s match at home with her son and grandson, who has attended games since he was three.
“I’m excited and nervous. I’m excited for the guys. I hope they win,” she said.
“Oh yes, I think they can win. They’re a gorgeous bunch of guys.”
McManus is due to present the premiership cup if the Dockers win, a role which has won the approval of his former admirer.
“He certainly is the right man to present the cup,” Ms Hankinson said. “Because he’s a special person, and he was a great footballer. He was my favourite.”
Fremantle supporter takes Grand Final passion on to the road
For RJ Walsh, the build-up to the Fremantle Grand Final has also involved a striking new vehicle. The supporter, who has followed the Dockers throughout her 27 years in Perth, bought a purple car and named it “Alex” after Pearce.
A “Moose” sign sits across the dashboard in tribute to Luke Jackson, while the car also carries custom “FREEEEO” number plates.
“I’ve been a Dockers fan for as long as I’ve lived in Perth,” Ms Walsh said. “This season, they’ve given us so much. This year has just been absolutely mint.”
She said the team’s comebacks, smothers and fend-offs had made the season particularly entertaining, adding that she could name players including Jackson, Patrick Voss and Murphy Reid among her favourites.
Ms Walsh secured the purple plates nine months ago and bought the car three months later, choosing the colour when she found it was available.
“When I’m driving down the Fremantle terrace at the moment or anywhere really, everyone’s beeping,” she said.
She has already booked flights to Melbourne and is due to travel on Thursday, describing herself as too excited to sleep properly.
“I’m just enjoying every moment of it because it’s fantastic,” she said.
Ms Walsh has also promised a permanent souvenir if Fremantle win on Saturday: a tattoo featuring a stylised Dockers 2026 Grand Final premiers design and the club’s anchor.
She plans to return to Fremantle for a drink after arriving back from Melbourne on Sunday, fully expecting it to be a celebration.
“I have complete faith they will win on Saturday,” she said. “It means a lot to the club. It means a lot to every individual supporter.”
