Perth’s wild weather hasn’t stopped Freo fanatics from flooding Optus Stadium, with a sea of purple desperate to watch their beloved Dockers taste success in their finals opener.
The Burswood precinct was lashed by showers in the morning and early afternoon on Saturday, but had largely cleared by the time most fans took to the venue ahead of Freo’s elimination final clash with Gold Coast.
No amount of poor weather was going to deter the Purple Army from watching their side playing in a final for the first time in three years, in a match that will double as retiring great Nat Fyfe’s final game in WA.
The Dockers are a chance to break their record from the 2022 elimination final for their biggest-ever crowd in Perth. That match attracted 58,982 to watch a stunning comeback win over the Western Bulldogs.
Andrew McDonald, who is attending Saturday night’s game at Optus Stadium with his family, described himself as a “die-hard fan”.
“I’m very excited, it’s great to have a home final,” he said.
“It’s been a great journey and so good to see them in the finals. It’s good to see Fyfe back at Optus Stadium.”
There was plenty of colour on Fremantle’s famous Cappuccino Strip on Saturday in the lead-up to the game, including the Coyne family of Bryce, Casey, Nate and Elijah all decked out in purple.
More to come
