The chant normally associated with Fremantle Dockers games reverberated around the streets of Melbourne at Friday’s AFL Grand Final parade.
Such was the decibel levels created by the thousands of people wearing purple, many could hardly even hear the Hawthorn theme song being played by the marching band.
The parade began at the Victoria Arts Centre and made its way through the streets of Melbourne’s CBD.
Some of the players were taking more photos than the fans were.
Freo greats Matthews Pavlich and Aaron Sandilands took their daughters, Harper and Sloane, with them on the journey, as did many of the players who have children.
Nat Fyfe took club assistant coach Brett Kirk’s son, who gave the Freo midfielder some parade advice, considering this was his second.
For the Freo skipper Pavlich, the purple turnout was overwhelming.
“It makes me feel really proud,” he said.
“It’s great to see so much purple in the crowd.
“A lot of people have worked and waited a long time for this.
“Whatever happens tomorrow will happen, but it’s a great moment for the football club.”
The motorcade ended at the Old Treasury building, where both teams were presented to the massive crowd.
Pavlich shook hands with his Hawthorn counterpart, Luke Hodge, and the pair grasped one side each of the Premiership Cup.
One captain’s hand will fall away at about 5.00pm EST on Saturday at the MCG.
The event concluded with the Grand Final media conference, where the skippers joined Ross Lyon and Hawks’ coach Alastair Clarkson.
