Much-loved Dockers tradition given green light for grand final
The AFL has given Fremantle the green light to use “Wharfie Time” during the grand final on Saturday, as long as the club adheres to one condition.
The much-loved Dockers tradition has been approved to take place once during the grand final as part of a goal celebration.
Hayden Young is ready for the challenge the Lions will bring. AFL Photos via Getty Images
The quirky activation signalled by the bells from AC/DC’s Hells Bells and huge waves crashing on the big screen has been used to send Dockers fans into a frenzy in tight games – but only ever at their Optus Stadium home.
But the grand final is technically a neutral clash, with no home and away teams, and the Brisbane Lions are expected to play the goal celebration songs they’ve become known for, such as Charlie Cameron’s Take Me Home, Country Roads.
The approval required careful consideration from the AFL but 9News reporter Paddy Sweeney said the AFL believed the Lions and Dockers had two of the best match-day fan engagement experiences and wanted them both to be part of the grand final.
Brisbane star Dayne Zorko was not overly bothered by the idea of Wharfie Time taking place in the season decider.
“It’s going to be the same for both fans,” he told reporters at Melbourne airport.
“I think we get our songs after every goal ... I’ve heard it (Wharfie Time) is really loud when it happens, but the grand final itself is loud so I don’t know how different it will be.”
Fremantle fans did not shy away from catching the last glimpse of their team before the big dance on Saturday, with 3000 people showing up for the club’s final training session on Wednesday at home before making the trip to Melbourne.
Demand for even those tickets was high, with fans who missed spotted watching their team prepare for the grand final from on top of their cars.
A number of players told 9News they were “feeling fresh and ready” after the training session. Hayden Young was left in awe of how many fans showed up.
“It was good to get out there today and get moving,” Young said.
“You can’t not feel good when you have this many people watching.”
In attendance at the open training session was a handful of former Dockers, including Lee Spurr, who retired in 2018, and Nathan Wilson, who retired in 2024.
“It is amazing for Freo to be back there,” Spurr told reporters after the session.
“It has been 13 years since we were there, so I am nothing but proud of them.”
Wilson added: “It has been good to see some of the boys back here and supporting them. It is great for the club.”
The AFL grand final is scheduled to begin from 2.30pm on Saturday. The Dockers will be aiming to win their first flag while the Lions try to seal the club’s second three-peat.
