28/09/2026
The Fremantle Dockers have transcended sport.
I have never been so proud to be part of the Fremantle “Wharfie Cult” and the shear unpredictable magic of “Wharfie Time.” Living so far away in Perth, the Dockers drew me closer to my Melbourne niece, Andy Schell, and my dear friend, Slow Clay Centre founder - the amazing Jane Sawyer.
The Dockers drew us all in with their willingness to dream and be vulnerable, unpicking the systems that separate us, none more so than toxic masculinity.
All year the Freo Dockers went deep, completely embracing the AFLW and a “we’re all in this together, 100%” mantra.
There is so much to admire about our team…a Tassie born captain wearing nail polish for charity; a “unicorn” proudly declaring how much he bloody loves his teammates in raw, bare-chested lockerroom interviews; and a button pushing, prancing pony with childlike exuberance who, as the final siren sounded, fighting back tears, walked the oval lifting up his distraught brothers in their agony.
The ultimate result was palpably heartbreaking.
But in this heartbreak, they achieved something society desperately needs:
an enormous gathering of people, hearts beating as one, collectively feeling something way bigger than ourselves.
It was hypnotically primal. We screamed, dreamed, and held each other through the tears. The Dockers showed us how vital it is to share, process, and carry these heightened emotions together. The bell rang, everything slowed and what followed was a unified release of gut wrenching raw emotion.
Thank you Dockers, you galvanised community. You redefined culture. The power of the PURPLE CULT has given us unforgettable memories ❤️❤️❤️❤️
…And to the wonderful grandpa next to me whose name I’ve forgotten: thank you for riding the highs when I went crazy and trod on your feet!
I got my monies worth with and pregame, but what followed was transcendent, immortalising.