Immortality awaits: How Hayden Young kept the Freo dream alive
But if not for the left boot of Hayden Young, the dream may already be shattered.
Down by 27 points when the three-quarter time siren sounded, Young with ball in hand.
All 45,129 pairs of eyes at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and a nation of footy fans, were glued to the kick.
Fremantle’s season was on life support, until the 25 year-old reminded everyone why he’s considered the Dockers best ball user, sending the ball high into the Sydney sky, piercing through the big sticks from the junction of the 50m arc and boundary.
As Fremantle’s road to the premiership was fast approaching a dead end, Young got the journey back on track.
And just as impressive as his precise, long-range bomb, was the stare-down dished out to the local fans offering plenty of advice.
It signalled the Dockers intent and was the fire starter Fremantle desperately needed.
It prompted a change in approach, playing with freedom, courage and belief, no fear of failure, ultimately delivering the most memorable of final quarters imaginable.
The comeback was the Dockers largest three-quarter time deficit - and on preliminary final night where there’s nowhere to hide, it speaks volumes of the make-up of this group.
They’ve stared down defeat on multiple occasions during this series after being embarrassed by the Hawks in the qualifying final.
They’ve only won three out of a possible 12 quarters in September.
But when the games have been slipping away, as it was on Friday night, Fremantle’s biggest stars shine brightest.
Alongside Young, Shai Bolton, Caleb Serong, Luke Jackson and Andy Brayshaw all had either huge final terms, or were involved in decisive moments.
All are A-graders, all identified by the club as players they desperately wanted.
Young, Serong and Brayshaw are top-10 picks while Fremantle parted ways with a swag of first-round selections to secure Bolton and Jackson when returning to WA.
Those five players have been a major part of Fremantle’s rise to the top of the table, clinching the minor premiership and now earning a shot at the one they want most.
Should the Dockers be crowned champions, it would be arguably the purest of premierships.
No start-up concessions, no father-son or priority picks and no academy players.
It’s been built of going to the draft, trading and developing from within.
On Saturday, Fremantle get their second crack at a drought-breaking flag.
To do so, they’ll have to defeat a mighty Brisbane outfit who are chasing a third consecutive triumph in their fourth-straight Grand Final.
It won’t be easy, but nothing about the Dockers entire finals, or for this club since it’s existence, has been.
Now in its 32nd season, the journey to the top is within touching distance.
If not for Hayden Young, it may still be just a dream.
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