Footy fans queue early
The West Australian
Dockers fans braved a cold night to queue for tickets as Domain Stadium staff gear up for a historic week in WA footy.
Perth Stadium Management says about 1000 people will put in a combined 11,000 man-hours to deliver Friday night’s qualifying final between West Coast and Hawthorn and Saturday afternoon’s qualifying final between Fremantle and Sydney.
AFL finals: Fremantle Dockers fans brave 5C chill for tickets
PerthNow
DIEHARD Fremantle Dockers fans braved 5C temperatures overnight to snare tickets for Saturday’s qualifying final against Sydney Swans.
About 100 people had lined up at the gates of Domain Stadium on Monday morning by 8.30am waiting for the ticket box for Fremantle members to open at 9am.
One man cemented his position in the line by arriving at 8.30pm on Sunday. He endured a chilly night as the temperature dropped to just 5.6C at 4.27am Monday.
Dockers Harbour Master members were luckier and didn’t have to brave the cold night. They were able to purchase their tickets from 8am and there wasn’t a large line.
Resting troops was good idea: Barlow
The West Australian
Michael Barlow has rejected suggestions Fremantle will be underprepared for their qualifying final because of the minor premiers’ controversial decision to rest more than half the team in round 23.
A severely undermanned Dockers outfit was handed a 69-point drubbing by Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday after making 12 changes.
The 18.14 (122) to 8.5 (53) result meant little to Fremantle, who had already wrapped up the minor premiership and will host Sydney in their qualifying final at Domain Stadium this Saturday afternoon.
Super September looms as finals arrive
The West Australian
It goes without saying that this will be the most exciting finals series for West Australians in almost 10 years.
It should be said that this finals series will also be one of recent history’s most intriguing. Every team in the top eight has reason to believe. Every team has a different preparation.
For Fremantle and West Coast, this year represents rare opportunity. The Dockers will be well rested, the Eagles will be ready.
It has been speculated that a team could come from outside of the top four to win the flag, talk that stems from the success of teams at the bottom end of the eight against sides ranked above them.
Fremantle turning purple for Dockers final run
The West Australian
The purple haze is returning to Fremantle.
With top spot safely secured for the Dockers, plans are underway to convert the port city into a sea of purple.
The City of Fremantle will install 40 huge Go Freo banners and this week and South Terrace will be painted purple.
Fremantle Mayor and Dockers supporter Brad Pettitt said the level of anticipation was growing for another tilt at the club's first Premiership.
