Arabic version: فريمانتل يطارد أول بطولة له في دوري كرة القدم الأسترالية
According to The Guardian, Fremantle are preparing for just their second AFL grand final, with a first premiership carrying particular significance for a club that has spent 32 years overcoming financial hardship, difficult recruiting conditions and periods of sustained criticism. The Dockers will face the Lions after a preliminary-final win over the Swans.
Fremantle entered the AFL in 1994 as the competition’s 16th club after paying a $4m upfront licence fee. The club began with limited resources, including secondhand lockers bought from a nearby high school for Fremantle Oval, and was supported by a $200,000 loan with heavy interest. Its first chair, Ross Kelly, said in 1995 that the recruiting conditions were set up for the Dockers to win “zero to one game” in their first season.
The club did not reach its first finals until 2003. It also endured notable recruiting setbacks, including passing on future two-time Norm Smith medallist Andrew McLeod in favour of injury-prone forward Chris Groom. In contrast with West Coast, which won premierships before Fremantle played its first game, the Dockers had to build from scratch without the Eagles’ draft concessions or access to Subiaco Oval.
Fremantle vice-captain Andrew Brayshaw has framed the opportunity in historic terms. He wrote a note for teammates that read: “The first 22 men to win a premiership at Fremantle will be immortals.” Brayshaw said after the preliminary final that the side must continue to play with the freedom and courage shown over the previous two weeks.
Under coach Justin Longmuir, Fremantle have developed into a more dynamic attacking team. Recent recruiting has brought in Luke Jackson, Shai Bolton and Jordan Clark, while six players in the preliminary final arrived through the rookie draft, delisted free agency or the supplemental selection period. Jackson and Bolton have premiership experience and have been outstanding in the 2026 finals campaign as Fremantle pursue the club’s elusive first flag.
