Stunned silence: The day the bells stopped for Freo

It’s the Dockers fan activation which made national headlines throughout the season.

The ringing of AC/DC’s iconic ‘Hell’s Bells’ blasting out around the stadium, in a bid to energise the Fremantle faithful, providing an edge to their players late in close matches.

It proved a hit in their come-from-behind victory over Hawthorn earlier in the season and sent Optus Stadium bonkers in their semi-final triumph against Geelong.

For months it was the talk of Perth as the push for the first purple premiership gained a wave of momentum.

And yet again it was the focus, this time in Grand Final week, as the AFL gave consideration into whether or not it would be approved for use on the season’s biggest day.

After days of discussions, it was approved - the league’s reasoning - due to positive crowd engagement.

When it rang out around the MCG on Saturday afternoon, Fremantle seemed destined to lift their first cup.

The Dockers were four minutes away from immortality - 17 points up after Pat Voss kicked his third goal.

The purple army - from Melbourne to Fremantle’s Cappuccino strip - were in raptures.

This was their time.

But the very war cry aimed to lift Fremantle, had the opposite effect - leaving purple fans in tears.

Intended to intimidate, the fan activation instead inspired Brisbane - propelling them to their second three-peat in the most remarkable fashion.

Decades of despair and disappointment which were set to be washed away, has only been added to.

A history of heartbreak now standing at 32 years and counting.

The scenes post-game summed it up.

Outside the ground many were in shock, stunned at what they had just witnessed and struggling to grapple with what had just unfolded.

The Fremantle players, coaching and staff will no doubt be the same for days, weeks and months, desperately seeking answers.

On the club’s biggest day, the Dockers were brilliant.

They weren’t overawed, they played so good for so long.

But that’s what will also make the defeat so hard to comprehend.

They didn’t lose it, the Lions won it.

A post-mortem is an ugly part of any Grand Final loss and ‘Wharfie Time’ is not immune.

It’s place in the game is up in the air.

Fans are divided - some saying it cost Fremantle its first flag, others sticking fat.

‘Wharfie Time’ will be back, just like the Dockers.

The Docker diehards have been taken on a wild ride in 2026.

A minor premiership, a club record 14-game winning streak and record crowds at Optus Stadium.

They turned up when it counted most, making Melbourne purple in grand final week.

Pubs, public transport and the streets had Fremantle colours everywhere you looked.

Resilience has long been a characteristic of the Fremantle Football Club.

The club and fanbase will again need to draw upon this in a bid to return to the last Saturday in September.

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