Fans flock to Dockers’ final home training ahead of grand final clash

Fremantle’s last training session at their home ground ahead of this year’s grand final was more for the fans than for players, as thousands lined the sidelines of the Cockburn facility on Thursday.

The crowd erupted as the team arrived on the oval, while assembled media kept a close eye on any players that may be showing signs of injury or soreness.

Questions were raised early when Dockers captain Alex Pearce was a notable absence from the main group who ran out early to hit the track.

The reliable skipper eventually made an appearance, to a resounding chorus of “Moose” from the crowd – and to visible relief to the thousands watching.

However, Pearce did not take part in several running drills early in the session, instead seen doing light kicking duties with Sam Switkowski, who has already announced his plans to retire from AFL football after Saturday’s grand final.

One supporter, who has been following the club for three decades, travelled up from the regional South West town of Collie to see the team in action in his first visit to the Cockburn ARC ground.

“I’ve been a Dockers supporter for 30 years, they’ve got to do it,” Jacob said.

Friends Olivia and Jenna got to the front of the line at 7.30am, waiting eagerly to get a taste of the Dockers action.

“I love all the boys, but Pearce has got a special place in my heart, he’s going to captain us to victory I believe,” Jenna said.

“I really hope we can win, I’ve got tickets so I’m going to be in Melbourne at the final.”

Another supporter told this masthead they were only at the open training to see star ruckman Luke Jackson, and believed the Dockers were “a solid chance to win now”.

“Hawthorn’s out, Brisbane is in and Freo is coming for it,” they said.

“It’s 31 years in the making! This is it, we want the cup.”

Fresh from their WAFL grand final victory with the Peel Thunder, players including Sean Darcy, Bailey Banfield, and Jeremy Sharp showed no ill effects from the comfortable victory over Claremont on Sunday.

Jaeger O’Meara, and Brandon Walker, who have been considered as emergencies for Saturday’s match at the MCG, also pulled up well after their efforts in the WAFL.

Brennan Cox, who was kept out of the Peel victory in a bid to stay fresh for a possible recall for Saturday at the MCG, also trained strongly and showed little concerns for the injury that saw him lose his spot to Oscar McDonald during the finals series.

Key forwards Jye Amiss, Patrick Voss and Josh Treacy also showed no visible injury concerns, with the club currently only showing three players on the injury list.

Coach Justin Longmuir, fresh from being named as the Australian Football League Coaches Association Senior Coach of the Year on Tuesday, was calm and relaxed throughout the training session.

It has been a landmark season for Longmuir and Fremantle, who claimed the minor premiership after a club-record 19-win home-and-away season, including a 14-game winning streak and an unbeaten 12-0 record at Optus Stadium during the regular season.

Speaking to the club’s website, Longmuir said it was a great honour to win the Allan Jeans award and join the prestigious list of coaches to have claimed it in previous years.

“The moment I started coaching, I fell in love with the profession – I get to go to work every day and help players to achieve their goals. That inspires and drives me to be the best coach I can be,” he said.

“I see this award as a reflection of the entire coaching group at Fremantle. I couldn’t ask for a more driven, selfless team of coaches to work with and I thank them for their dedication and support.”

Longmuir’s connection to Fremantle stretches well beyond his time as senior coach. He played 139 games for Fremantle between 1999 and 2007 before beginning a decade-long coaching apprenticeship that included roles at Fremantle, West Coast and Collingwood.

His focus is now on Saturday’s grand final and Fremantle’s chance to make history by winning their first premiership since the club started 32 years ago, where his side will take on a Brisbane team aiming to write themselves into the history books.

Brisbane are looking to win their third consecutive grand final after playing in the last three deciding matches of the year, and will appear in their fourth at the MCG on Saturday.

Regardless of who wins, this year’s AFL decider is shaping up as one for the history books.

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