Local tattoo shop bracing for long night as Dockers fans chase inaugural premiership ink

A Fremantle tattoo shop is gearing up to work until punters stop coming through the door come Saturday afternoon, with a selection of Flagmantle designs on offer should the Dockers take home their inaugural premiership.

Five Star Tattoo is in the heart of the Fremantle cappuccino strip, and say they are equal parts concerned about the fanfare that could ensue following a Freo win against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday, and excited to host anyone who wishes to get some ink to mark the occasion.

“We’re anticipating chaos, maybe either way - so who knows?” Five Star tattooist Mark said.

“Fremantle’s going to be a different place, that’s for sure.”

The shop is extending its hours and has already done a mock-up of several designs, ready for anyone who wants to make what Mark calls the “good decision” to get a tattoo.

“We’ve got a sheet of designs done, ready to go - but of course we’ll be doing regular tattoo stuff, so taking walk-ins, appointments, whatever comes,” Mark said.

In the event of a loss, Mark said he’s still prepared for those to file through the door wanting to nail their colours to the mast after a bumper 2026 season - but remember, it’s cash only.

It’s a feeling echoed by other tattoo shops up and down the strip, with many looking to extend regular trading hours across the board to keep the crowds happy.

Fremantle businesses are also gearing up for the “chaos” expected to reign on the port city come Saturday, with some choosing to extend hours to accommodate an influx of crowds and others rostering extra staff.

Some shops have painted their front windows with Dockers memorabilia, with staff wearing Fremantle jumpers throughout the main strip of the town.

One small business pop-up selling Fremantle merchandise outside the local markets sold out of most of its popular gear, and a memorial is going up on Main Street in the port city, curated and painted by street artists from Blank Walls.

Blank Walls, a street-art studio set up in Perth and London, has painted across from the Piazza a mural featuring Caleb Serong, Alex Pearce, Murphy Reid and Andrew Brayshaw, which will be going up throughout Thursday and Friday.

Authorities said they were planning on an extra 40,000 people to be roaming the streets in the event of a Dockers grand final, and earlier this month the City of Fremantle approved a budget amendment that would allow them to pull the trigger on $230,000 needed to accommodate the influx of visitors.

Their fathers will live in Lions history, but this modern-day trio are on the cusp of cementing their own legacies out of the shadow of their most potent star.

In a departure from grand final tradition, both clubs will be allowed to whip up their fans with music and activations at the MCG.

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