It’s an early 9.30am start for five members of the Interstate banner crew in the Bradman change rooms at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

With the banner on the floor, working with crepe paper and sticky tape, they secure the banner to the poles.

With a Redkite on the front of the banner for the cup match, and Rhys Palmer’s 50th game milestone, it’s a big away fixture.

Staff prepare for the arrival of the team. Senior coach Mark Harvey walks in and says “well done”.

As the players start to move about the rooms, the crew move the banner into its bag, ready for the start of the match.

Captain Matthew Pavlich comes out to check the oval surface. Hayden Ballantyne and Chris Mayne follow behind, bouncing footballs as they get a feel for the conditions.

With two hours until bounce down, the crowd builds. Fremantle supporters fill two bays creating the opportunity for a good cheering voice.

The New South Wales based Freo Dockers’ supporters are joined by those who have flown in from interstate. Family and friends of Alex Silvagni and Greg Broughton are among the Freo faithful.

At 12.30pm, the banner crew are ready in the race - assisted by the Perth crew and members of the Sirens. Extra hands are useful to keep the banner off the wet ground until it goes up.

Three, two, one - up the banner goes.

The players run through as the supporters cheer loudly - Go Freo!

Robyn, a young banner crew member takes responsibility for holding a banner rope for the first time.

Excited by the opportunity, she smiles and then returns the rope, which is to be flown back to Melbourne.

Game on! The two teams have a close first quarter.

Bay 1 finds its voice in the second quarter as Freo kick towards the supporters and open up a small lead.

In the third quarter, plastic ponchos are everywhere as the rain begins to fall.

Most supporters stay put, rather than retreating away from the rain.
Two goals in succession help Fremantle break away. With a 38-point lead heading into the final term, things are looking good.

Heart rates rise as a few goals to Sydney have the supporters holding their collective breath.

The clock on the screen disappears as everyone wonders how much longer there is to go.

A man listening to his radio tells us it’s the 31st minute.

Nick Lower kicks a goal and Fremantle have the match.

Kids from the Lake Macquarie Dockers, a new NSW partner club in 2011, move down to the boundary and over to the race for the chance to see their heroes.

Just before the siren sounds, the FREO chant starts.

Game over! The Redkite Cup is ours.

The cheer squad lead the singing of the club song, with plastic purple hands and saturated flags waving proudly.

The players run along the front of Bay 1 and 2 high-fiving the supporters.

Greg Broughton is the last to leave the field as he celebrates with his family and friends over the fence.

We head down the race to strip the crepe paper and sticky tape off the poles and clean the room for the next visiting team.

Our job is done and it’s time to fly home!