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.
4David Mundy
The big “Barra” came to the club as a skinny defender and left as Fremantle's classiest ever midfielder. Had ice in his veins as he slotted multiple match winners for Fremantle (who could forget that one against eventual premiers Richmond at the MCG in 2017) and delivered week-in-week-out for the Dockers. Finally got the recognition he deserved in 2015 when he earned his (somehow) one and only All-Australian blazer. Was a best-and-fairest winner in 2010 and is the club's games record holder with 376 matches played - hell of a lot of frequent flyer miles for him to enjoy in retirement - and 10th overall in V/AFL history. But for those who flocked to Subiaco Oval or Optus Stadium every second week draped in purple, Mundy brought a sense of calm to a supporter group that seemed to be consistently on the edge of panic and a team that seemed to shoot itself in the foot at the opportune moment. The 192cm midfielder aged like fine wine as well, guiding the Dockers through the dark ages with his final game being against Collingwood in the club's return to finals in 2022.
