The streets of Fremantle are pulsing with purple passion today as thousands of diehard fans and local lovers descend on the port city to cheer on the boys from home.
Just after 10am, the iconic Cappuccino Strip was already a sea of purple, white, and anchors, with dedicated supporters turning every pub, cafe, and park into a melting pot of footy fever.
People camped out as early as 6am to secure front-row seats along the strip, while lines wrapped around several blocks as punters scrambled to get a spot inside overflowing venues.
“It was worth it,” early-bird Adrian DeCarolis said.
“I’m starting to feel nervous, but good, we can do it.”
For Tanya and Simon Vulinovic, there was no second option for where to watch the historic clash.
“We’ve been supporting them since day dot,” Mr Vulinovic said.
“We met after a football game so we wouldn’t have got married if it wasn’t for Freo.
“You’ve got to be in the heart of Freo. I mean, being in Melbourne is one thing, but I think this will just be amazing if they win.
“This is going to be the biggest party since America’s Cup.”
Local families have gone all-out to get into the spirit, including East Freo mum Amy Hill, who spent the week crafting custom Dockers gear for Story, 5, and Lumi, 3.
“The kids have got into the footy this year,” Ms Hill said.
“I made them purple capes this week. I’m not typically a footy girl, but I’m a Freo girl so we pulled out the purple.“
From full face-paint transformations to custom capes, the local faithful pulled out every stop to send lucky vibes 3000km across the Nullarbor to Melbourne.
Sixteen-year-old Ottilia Miller didn’t hold back when it came to game-day prep.
“I started getting ready at 8.30 this morning,” she said.
“There’s like ten layers of paint on my face.
“I have spray paint and glitter on my hair and body paint.
“I’ve scared a few people but it’s totally worth it.
“I’m hoping to see a win obviously, it’s been long enough.”
Fifteen-year-old Riley Chamberlain also turned heads, dressed in full face paint and a striking purple wig.
“I need them to win today, I love this club so much,” he said.
“I think they will win by 11 points.”
Longtime supporter Christopher Lake made a statement of his own, sporting an AC/DC shirt and cape to join the growing crowd.
“I’ve been a fan since they began,” he said.
“They can 100 per cent do it, we believe in them, Freo believes in them.
“This is the heart of Freo and it’s going to be the best street party of the decade.”
For locals, the stakes could not possibly be higher.
Indi Ruby, Elise Roscoe, and Scarlet Nicholas said “their lives depend” on Fremantle winning today.
“We wouldn’t be here if we knew that Freo couldn’t win,” Ms Ruby said.
“Someone’s got to hold it down at Freo, you know, it’s f…ing wharfie time.”
As the pre-match entertainment kicked off at the MCG, hundreds of eyes along the strip remained glued to the big screens.
Smiles filled the streets and a booming Freo chant echoed across the main stage, with locals joining in to make their presence felt all the way from WA.
In a touch of sportsmanship, claps rippled through the crowd for Nick Daicos as he took a lap around the oval, before a roar erupted when iconic entertainer Mike Brady took the stage to sing Up There Cazaly, the sea of purple bursting into song as the iconic chorus hit.
With just half an hour to go until bounce down, the electric atmosphere stepped up to a whole new gear.
The crowd went completely wild as pop royalty Kylie Minogue strutted onto the MCG turf.
