It's a two team town in the west. You have the choice (or more likely due to family heritage not given an option) to support the four-time flag winning West Coast Eagles or the perennial battlers Fremantle.

In the mid-2000s, my family was split in half by blue and gold and (at the time) purple, red, green and white, but my grandad put in the ground work early to make sure the anchor was firmly attached to my heart. 

For better or for worse that's led to two decades of love and despair for myself and the Freo faithful - an adjective which cannot be disputed when it comes to this club. As my mum used to say in regards to Dockers fans, "We're proud, loyal, passionate, but stupid."

The expression "dockery" has now become part of the vernacular in Fremantle to describe the club or players' ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

But it appears a new era has begun for the west's forever little brother. With arguably its best ever list talent-wise, Fremantle appears ready to make its second proper push for a premiership in the Dockers' 32-year history.

While Fremantle as a club isn't known for its on-field success, the club has had a litany of cult heroes and stars who, although never reached the ultimate success, will never have to buy a beer or latte along High Street in Freo for the rest of their lives such is the admiration for what they gave to the club.

Some honourable mentions for the list include Lachie Neale who won multiple best-and-fairests with us before fleeing to Brisbane (bet he regrets that decision), tall and talented defender Michael Johnson, All-Australian Paul Hasleby, cult hero Shaun McManus, the original "Wiz" Jeff Farmer, and current star Andrew Brayshaw.

9Luke Ryan

Has been made to earn his spot back in the team in 2026, but Ryan is far and away one of Fremantle's best roughie draft selections (of which there are a few). Despite his 186cm stature, Ryan has been able to play small or tall throughout his career in defence at the Dockers. Drafted as a mature age recruit out of Coburg at 20 years of age with pick 66 in 2016, Ryan has become one of the premier defenders in the league, earning two All-Australian selections in 2020 and 2024. Can collect the footy with ease, while he has a clear toughness and never say die edge to him. Was very important to the club during the long-lasting rebuild and will hopefully get to see the fruits of his labour with team success in the form of a flag soon.

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