An estimated 2000 die-hard Fremantle fans braved the ordinary conditions in Perth to give the players a lift after the toughest loss of their careers.
The 25-man squad, coach Ross Lyon and chief executive Steve Rosich were presented to the cheering crowd one by one, with Rosich, Lyon, captain Matthew Pavlich, Ryan Crowley, Aaron Sandilands and Michael Barlow all speaking briefly to thank the adoring fans.
The chanting from the fans drowned out the announcer as they were drenched by a passing shower.
Lyon was full of praise for the supporters that turned out.
"We're really humbled by the support of our fans and members here and in Melbourne," he said.
"It's just unbelievable.
"To come here in these conditions and after a loss we're really humbled and we're really grateful. It's much appreciated."
Crowley was shocked by the strength of the crowd.
"On the way here I was saying to the boys 'it's raining there will probably be no one here', but this is fantastic," he said.
Pavlich was quick to point out to the fans that this was just the start of the journey to try and go one better next season.
"I'm not putting a dampener on what is a celebration of a really positive year but it's going to take a huge amount of hard work to get back to this position that we found ourselves in this year," he said.
Rosich reiterated Pavlich's thoughts saying that the club was already focused on next year just 24-hours after the 15-point loss to the Hawks.
"Although we can stand here and reflect on our 2013 season, we played our 429th game yesterday as a club, in our first Grand Final, the attention very quickly turns to 2014," he said.
"The players will be at the club until Wednesday and then they'll be back in training very shortly."
After a delay leaving Melbourne, it was a great reception at Perth Airport on Sunday, where fans greeted the players with warm applause as they made their way onto the team bus to go straight to Patersons Stadium.
Following the 15-point loss to the Hawks on Saturday, the team got to unwind and reflect on the season at Melbourne’s Convention Centre.
More than 1200 people in attendance gave the players a rousing ovation when club legend Peter Bell introduced them on stage.
Celebrity Freo fan Rove McManus was in attendance, as was the club’s Number One Ticket Holder Ben Roberts-Smith.
Eskimo Joe also performed a number of their hits wearing Freo scarves.
