Pre-game in the depths of Optus Stadium, Fremantle’s 353-game players Matthew Pavlich and David Mundy came together to plant the seeds for what would be a groundbreaking RAC Derby victory for Fremantle’s emerging group.
Having lost the previous 11 in a row against West Coast, Fremantle had enough of a reason to want to get one back against their local rivals.
Pavlich delivered a speech that added to that motivation as he welcomed Mundy to the 353-club and spoke about how both he and the newly-retired Stephen Hill would give everything to be out there to get the job done for Mundy.
The 20-year-old Serong said those words were in the back of Freo’s minds as they raced out to their seventh best first quarter in Club history, kicking 8.2 (50).
“(Pavlich) spoke pre-game about two legends of the club, Dave and Hilly. We really wanted to celebrate those two guys today, it was such a big day for both of them,” Serong said.
“We were able to do that and it was a massive motivating factor for the group.
“I think that all came out in the first quarter. We were absolutely on in a lot of areas and were able to finish off in front of goal.
“It was a lot to do with effort and intensity around the footy. I think that was a lot to do with trying to do it for Dave and Hilly.”
If there wasn’t enough on the line, the win came with both Fremantle and West Coast fighting for a finals place.
Serong said the atmosphere at Optus Stadium only added to the occasion.
“It was amazing. It’s the biggest crowd I’ve played in front of by a lot to be honest,” Serong said.
“To have the Purple Army there in full force was amazing.
“That first quarter, where we kicked a few on the trot, it was so loud. You couldn’t even hear the bloke talking next to you, it was amazing to have them here tonight and I absolutely loved it.”
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