The Fremantle Dockers will take on North Melbourne this Saturday 25 March at Optus Stadium in our first home game of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Bounce down for the clash is at 4.30pm WST.

GETTING TO OPTUS STADIUM
Your footy ticket includes travel on all Transperth services for three hours either side of the match, so be prepared and ensure you plan your journey ahead with Transperth’s Journey Planner, please click here for further information. If asked, show your ticket to the driver or inspector. Keep in mind, you must have your football ticket or membership on you to travel for no extra cost.

For the safety of all patrons, we encourage all attendees to ensure they are well aware of the above points, prior to attending the game. If you have a family or linked account, please pass this information on to all attending.

CHANGES TO OPTUS STADIUM CUP SERVING
In October last year, the WA Government officially banned the use of plastic cups as part of its Plan for Plastics. That means that all drinks will now be served in a 100 per cent recoverable, plastic-free, paper cup.

Look out for the QR code on the cup so you can learn about the new cups, the impact on the environment and which bin you should put the cup in when you’re done. If you want to learn more about the change, please click here. 

TICKETING INFORMATION
Members with reserved seats can access their tickets through the Fremantle Dockers linked to their MyFreo account. Instructions are available for both Android (here) and iPhone users (here). Pass holders who have redeemed or upgraded can access their tickets through the Ticketmaster app. 

The Fremantle membership team will be at Gate B and E for assistance with entry and general enquiries. 

HELP US, HELP YOU

Report anti-social behaviour to Stadium Staff immediately or text 0409 317 771.

KEY TIMES

2.30pm - Purple Playground opens
2.45pm - Membership services available at gate B and E
3pm - Gates open
3.47pm - 4.02pm - On-field warm-up
4.18pm - Fremantle team entry
4.30pm - Bounce down 

MATCH DAY ENTERTAINMENT

PRE-GAME 

Inflatable obstacle course and Super Goals

Located on the Southern Oval, outside gate D are inflatable obstacle courses including inflatable basketball and super goals.

Airbrush tattoo

Our airbrush tattoo station will be located on the Southern Oval and near lobby 101.

Race The Footy
In 2023 Freo fans have the chance to Race the Footy, thanks to Macca’s. If you and a mate would like the chance to Race the Footy register here.

HALF TIME

Best Seats in the House
At half-time, be in your seats and have your phone ready for your chance to win one of three double passes into Bankwest’s best seats in the house at the RAC Derby game on April 2. Winners will receive:

• 2 x tickets for the best seats in the house (located in the Bankwest Club)
• Food and beverage during the event including your choice of burger and chips, ice cream and selected wine, beer, cider and non-alcoholic refreshments
• A merchandise pack
• VIP service from a dedicated Optus Stadium attendant
• Access to the Bankwest Club

Arrive early and avoid delays
Having your digital ticket ready prior to arrival and get to the stadium early will ensure you are not caught in long queues outside the stadium in the lead up to the game. The scanner to scan your digital ticket(s) is located to the right of the turnstile entry gates, then enter on the left. Please do not bring bags larger than an A4 piece of paper.

Leave your cash at home
Optus Stadium is currently a cashless venue meaning you will need to pay using EFTPOS at all food and beverage outlets.

Optus Stadium Restaurants and Catering

The City View Cafe will be OPEN. However, the Goodwood restaurant will be CLOSED.

The Freo Clubhouse


The Freo Clubhouse in River View Rooms and Sky View Lounge will be open for round, however you will need to show your ticket stating room access to receive entry.

Other key points:

• No cloaking facilities available. Don't bring bulky items.

• Practice good hand hygiene.
• If you feel unwell or have experienced any COVID-19 symptoms during the two weeks prior to this weekend’s game, please DO NOT attend. If you begin to feel ill whilst at the game, please make sure to notify an Optus Stadium representative immediately and follow the directions of any venue, club or AFL staff.

If you have any questions or require further assistance, please contact the membership services team on (08) 9433 7111 or at membership@fremantlefc.com.au. 

North Melbourne has hung on for a thrilling one-point win against Fremantle at Optus Stadium in controversial circumstances on the final siren. 

Trailing by one point in the dying seconds, the Freo Dockers would have been awarded a free kick in goalscoring range after a clearing kick from the Kangaroos' goal line, that would have been adjudicated as insufficient intent. 

But it was judged that the final siren sounded before the ball crossed the line, meaning Fremantle did not have the opportunity to kick for the game, with North prevailing 11.7 (73) to 10.12 (72). 

The Kangaroos deserved to win after leading at every change and getting out to a 20-point lead with six minutes to play after star midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke capped his best afield performance with a 50m goal. 

But back-to-back goals for Fremantle midfielder Jaeger O'Meara and a scrappy major on the goal line from key defender Brennan Cox cut the margin to one point in the dying minutes. 

Fremantle looked close on multiple occasions to rushing the ball over for a behind, but North Melbourne's defence stood tall and was rewarded with a gutsy win that gives last year's wooden spooner's a 2-0 start to the season. 

Fremantle, meanwhile, is 0-2 after starting the year with high expectations and heading into a must-win RAC Derby against West Coast next Sunday.  

For the second week in a row, Freo lacked connection between their midfielders and forwards, struggling to hit targets inside 50 and get into attacking chains through the middle. 

The Kangaroos moved the ball much better, with key forward Nick Larkey reaping the rewards with four goals. 

Davies-Uniacke (30 and 11 clearances) was a match-winner in the middle, while Cam Zurhaar (26 and six) gave the Kangaroos a dynamic option midfield and forward. 

Rising Star nominee Harry Sheezel backed up his brilliant debut with 30 disposals and nine rebound 50s. 

Nothing came easy for Fremantle in the first half as North Melbourne applied excellent pressure and forced turnovers both in the midfield and in its own front half. 

The result was four unanswered goals to start the match, three of those as the direct result of Freo turnovers, racing to a 22-point lead as the home team struggled to get a foot hold in the game. 

Small forward Sam Switkowski broke the run when he crumbed skilfully, broke a tackle and ran inside 50 to convert a much-needed running goal. 

While they showed intent to move the ball in a more attacking manner to round one, there were repeated skill errors from Justin Longmuir's men and they couldn't give their key forwards clean opportunities. 

When Matt Taberner did get on the end of an attacking chain through the corridor, he took too long to take his set shot and was forced to rush his kick, which fell short. 

Freo cut the margin to three points during the third quarter, but the Roos always seemed to have the answer, with Curtis Taylor and Jaiden Stephenson stepping up to kick important goals. 

Clutch goal kicking from Larkey in the fourth quarter gave the visitors the gap they needed before the Freo Dockers mounted their best challenge, which ultimately came too late.  

Logue's sweet homecoming 
Returning to Optus Stadium and facing his former Club for the first time was weighing on North Melbourne recruit Griffin Logue. He was a long shot to get the four points, but it turned out to be the perfect homecoming for the important key defender. There were boos from the crowd and a bit of push and shove from his former teammates, many of whom he is close with. But when it mattered on Saturday, Logue got the job done, winning plenty of one-on-one contests against former housemate Matt Taberner.  

Son-son breaks through the clouds 
There's a reason Fremantle fans love Michael Walters like few other players in their history, and it was captured late in the third quarter after the small forward was substituted into the match. Walters ran with the flight and dove desperately to take a mark in the pocket, converting his snap set shot and attempting to lift his team out of its slump. Walters wears his heart on his sleeve and was the shot of energy Fremantle needed in his return from an Achilles injury. It just wasn't enough.  

Captains make history before the bounce
Alex Pearce and Jy Simpkin became just the second pair of First Nations players to captain opposing AFL sides on Saturday, marking the significant occasion at the coin toss. The first pair of skippers were Gavin Wanganeen and Michael Long, who led Port Adelaide and Essendon respectively on two occasions, in 1998 and 2000. Former Fremantle star Stephen Hill was present for the coin toss, alongside Jett Sibosado, who is a member of the club's Next Generation Academy.  

FREMANTLE              2.3   3.6   6.8   10.12 (72) 
NORTH MELBOURNE  4.1   5.2   8.6   11.7 (73) 

GOALS
Fremantle: Walters 2, O'Meara 2, Banfield, Brodie, Cox, Frederick, Schultz, Switkowski
North Melbourne: Larkey 4, Taylor 2, Stephenson 2, Davies-Uniacke, Powell, Simpkin

BEST
Fremantle: Brayshaw, Aish, Switkowski, Serong 
North Melbourne: Davies-Uniacke, Larkey, Sheezel, Zurhaar, Simpkin, Logue

INJURIES 
Fremantle: Nil 
North Melbourne: Nil  

LATE CHANGES
Fremantle: Nat Fyfe (foot) replaced in the selected side by Jye Amiss 
North Melbourne: Nil  

SUBSTITUTES 
Fremantle: Michael Walters (replaced Taberner in the third quarter) 
North Melbourne: Daniel Howe (replaced Paul Curtis in the third quarter) 

Crowd: 40,487 at Optus Stadium