This article is a photo essay reflecting on the Fremantle Dockers' season, highlighting significant moments from their historic year that ended in heartbreak at the grand final. The piece includes images and brief descriptions of key games and events throughout the season, such as their opening round loss to Geelong, memorable clashes with Melbourne and Richmond, and the record-breaking 14-game winning streak before losing the premiership in the closing moments of the grand final.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-27,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
From the articles provided, several key themes and events leading up to the AFL Grand Final between Fremantle (Dockers) and Brisbane (Lions) stand out. Here's a summary focusing on these aspects:
- Preparation and Spirit:
- Both teams have unique approaches to motivating their players.
- Justin Longmuir, Fremantle’s coach, uses symbols like the "wharfie, boat, and chain" metaphor to convey resilience and teamwork.
- Chris Fagan, Brisbane's coach, employed powerful mantras over seasons, such as “walking on thin ice” in 2024 to encourage taking risks despite uncertainty.
- Community Support:
- Fremantle fans are expected to fill the streets of their city, with up to 40,000 supporters anticipated.
- Local events like a licensed gathering at Fremantle Oval and pub gatherings will host thousands more.
- Brisbane fans in Melbourne have established meeting points, such as a suburban pub for Dockers fans and historical venues in Fitzroy.
- Historical Context:
- The Lions aim to secure their third consecutive premiership title.
- In 2024, despite struggling with only four wins from eleven games early on, they rallied under Fagan’s guidance to win two back-to-back flags.
- The theme “run towards the fire” was adopted last year to avoid complacency and keep striving for success.
- Inspiring Speakers:
- Teams have benefited from motivational talks by high-profile individuals.
- Luc Longley, an NBA champion who won three rings alongside Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls, spoke about maintaining drive despite past achievements.
- Fagan’s inspirational messages like "walking on thin ice" and subsequent themes have significantly influenced players’ mindset.
- Fan Engagement in Melbourne:
- Fremantle and Brisbane fans are setting up “homes away from home” in Melbourne to welcome their fellow supporters for the grand final.
- These gatherings provide a sense of community and camaraderie among distant but passionate fan bases.
- Logistical Preparations:
- WA Police have extensive plans to ensure safety during Fremantle’s celebration events, deploying various units including motorbikes, horses, dogs, and riot gear.
In essence, the build-up to this grand final highlights a blend of strategic preparation by coaches, community engagement from fans, and motivational support through significant speakers. This combination sets the stage for an emotionally charged event for both Fremantle and Brisbane, aiming to achieve their respective goals with strong backing from supporters and inspired leadership.
Written for “AFL Grand Final” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 45 other(s) covering the same event.
From history to heartbreak: The Fremantle Dockers’ season in pictures We look back on the big moments, the highs, and the lows from a historic year for the club that culminated in heartbreak as a maiden premiership was whisked away in the dying minutes of the grand final.
asserted
premiership → look → final
Caleb Serong is tackled by Geelong’s Jack Henry in round one, which eventually went the way of the Cats.
asserted
which → tackle → Cats
It wasn’t the fairytale start to the season, but the Dockers still had plenty in store...
asserted
Dockers → have → store
Patrick Voss taunts Harrison Petty during the Dockers’ demolition of the Demons in round two.
asserted
Voss → taunt → round
That ended up being a costly head-rub for the Prancing Pony...
asserted
That → end → Pony
Credit: AFL Photos
3/33
...but Voss wasn’t done antagonising the Demons, famously picking up and carrying Melbourne’s Ed Langdon over the boundary line in a moment of madness at Optus Stadium.
asserted
Voss → do → Stadium
Shai Bolton gets a handball away under pressure during the team’s win over Richmond in round three.
asserted
Bolton → get → round
Murphy Reid gets away from James Peatling of the Crows during round four.
asserted
Reid → get → round
The Dockers, led by captain Alex Pearce who made a match-winning smother late in the game, celebrate victory over the Crows at Adelaide Oval.
asserted
who → lead → Oval
With three wins in a row under their belts, Fremantle could sense something big was brewing...
uncertain
something → sense → belts
Jordan Clark had 27 disposals and 11 score involvements on his way to winning the Glendinning-Allen Medal during the first Western Derby of the year in round six.
asserted
Clark → win → round
Fremantle hosted Carlton for the annual Len Hall tribute match on Anzac Day at Optus Stadium in round seven as the Dockers extended their winning streak.
asserted
Dockers → host → streak
Neil Erasmus embodied Fremantle’s fighting spirit during the match against the Western Bulldogs in round eight.
asserted
Erasmus → embody → round
Brennan Cox kept a close watch on Hawthorn gun Nick Watson as Fremantle kept the winning streak alive in round nine.
asserted
Fremantle → keep → round
Who knew at the time that the two teams would meet again in the first qualifying final.
asserted
teams → know → final
Shai Bolton climbs high to take a spectacular grab as the Dockers defeated St Kilda in round 11.
asserted
Dockers → climb → round
Sam Switkowski scored a crucial goal when Fremantle faced Brisbane during round 12 in what would become a preview of Saturday’s grand final.
asserted
what → score → final
The Dockers travelled south to Bunbury to take on the Kangaroos in round 13.
asserted
Dockers → travel → round
Jye Amiss kicked two goals as Fremantle demolished the “home” team by 124 points.
asserted
Fremantle → kick → points
Fremantle set a club record in round 16 when their victory over Gold Coast became the side’s 14th straight win for the season.
asserted
victory → set → season
Shai Bolton kicked three goals to help his side defeat the team that knocked the Dockers out of the 2025 finals race.
asserted
that → kick → race
Credit: Getty Images
15/33
Jake Stringer of celebrates scoring a goal as Fremantle captain Alex Pearce looks on in round 17.
asserted
Pearce → celebrate → round
The victory to the Giants brought an end to the Fremantle winning streak of 14 games.
asserted
victory → bring → games
Credit: Getty Images
16/33
Patrick Voss let it all hang out when Fremantle faced Sydney in round 18.
asserted
Fremantle → let → round
The Dockers failed to kick a goal in the opening half before piling on the goals and winning by 38 points.
asserted
Dockers → fail → points
Credit: Getty Images
17/33
Mason Cox remonstrates with West Coast star Harley Reid as Fremantle got the better of their arch rivals in round 20.
asserted
Fremantle → remonstrate → round
18/33
Hayden Young chases down Marcus Bontempelli from the Western Bulldogs as Fremantle continued their winning ways in round 21.
asserted
Fremantle → chase → round
19/33
Fremantle players look dejected after losing to Melbourne at the MCG in round 22 in what was described as one of the matches of the season.
asserted
what → look → season
20/33
Isaiah Dudley celebrates a goal as the Dockers defeated Adelaide in round 23 and secured just their second minor premiership in club history Credit: Getty Images
asserted
Dockers → celebrate → history
The Aporia
