Without its members and supporters Fremantle would not have been able to make another finals series, according to captain Matthew Pavlich.
Sunday’s 54-point win over Melbourne was the club’s final home game of the regular season and the member thank you match.
History made
The match also secured top spot for the first time in the club’s history and a record 17th win this season.
Membership this week peaked at a club record 51,526 for the season — an increase of 5.3 per cent on last year’s mark of 48,777.
In a club first, each of its 11 home games this season was sold out.
Pavlich said Fremantle’s members and supporters were its backbone.
“It is a throw away line that we have the best members and fans but I sincerely mean that when I say that,” he said.
Pavlich said the club’s supporters had stuck with the side through thick and thin.
“I know as much as they do, what’s been building at the club for a long time,” he said.
“How patient they’ve been for sustained success.
“Going into our fifth finals series out of six, we sit atop the ladder with one round to go.
“It’s really pleasing and satisfying for us all, without our fans we couldn’t do it.
“That support never wavers.”