It takes a lot to move a football club, and Fremantle’s relocation to their high performance centre on the Gold Coast wouldn’t be possible without one very passionate supporter and sponsor.
Freo fans would already be familiar with Sullivan Logistics, the club’s ball sponsor, and company director Tim Sullivan put his hand up to help relocate the club as they head east for at least four weeks.
On Thursday, the club loaded everything they would need to feel at home at the Gold Coast, including training and gym equipment, medical supplies and IT requirements.
The baggage of the players and staff will also head over with the truck, as well as some personal items, with at least 10 guitars making the trip.
It won’t be hard to spot the truck as it makes its 4500km journey across the Nullarbor and up to the Gold Coast, with the truck towing a purple trailer adorned with images of the Freo faithful on its side.
Sullivan said he was thrilled to be able to help the club.
“The Covid-19 pandemic is something we’ve all had to deal with,” Sullivan said.
“AFL is a big passion of mine and the company. When I heard footy going to get back up and going, we decided we would make the offer to take the gear across. We want to help make the club comfortable over there.
“I think it’s fairly important, everyone’s going to be away from home. If everyone is comfortable, we hope that benefits everyone and the team.
“We’re just rapt that we can help.”
Senior manager of football operations Joe Brierty said the club was extremely thankful to have the support of Sullivan Logistics.
“Tim’s been a massive support, he also drove equipment up to our community camp in the Kimberley region earlier in the year. When he heard we were heading to the Gold Coast and the amount of equipment we’d have to take, he reached out to the club and said he would do anything to help us out,” Brierty said.
“He’s an amazing person and a great support for the Fremantle Football Club and we really appreciate it.
“Our players are stoked that they’re going to be able to replicate their home environment and we’re stoked as a football department that we can replicate our football program on the east coast.
“We couldn’t be more thankful to Tim for what he’s doing for us.”
Brierty said it was symbolic to see the fans on the side of the truck.
“The fans aren’t going to be with us in person on the Gold Coast but we know that we’re going to have them there in spirit cheering from home,” Brierty said.
“To have them on the side of the truck driving along to the other side of the country is great.”
The truck is due to leave either on Thursday evening or Friday morning and arrive in time for Fremantle’s arrival on the Gold Coast on Tuesday 9 June.
