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.
7Luke McPharlin
Unlucky not to be higher up on this list, McPharlin is one of Fremantle's most underrated players. While a more than handy swingman, McPharlin's ability and impact as a key defender is unheralded in the league. Could take an almighty specky and won the Mark of the Year award for his gigantic effort in 2005 against cross-town rivals West Coast. Earned All-Australian honours as the full back in 2012 and should have bagged more throughout his career. Was involved in the infamous Hawthorn-Fremantle trade in 2001 which saw the Dockers trade pick one (Luke Hodge) for Trent Croad (who returned to the Hawks soon after) and McPharlin. Fremantle fans have long moved past that list management decision, and that is due to what McPharlin gave the Purple Army in terms of performance and effort.
