Dockers Fans Flock to Training Session Ahead of AFL Grand Final

Thousands of Fremantle Dockers fans packed out the club's headquarters to watch the team train for the last time in Western Australia before they head to Melbourne for Saturday's AFL grand final.

The open training session in Cockburn saw huge demand, with all 3,000 tickets sold. Long-term supporter Katie said the Dockers' success this year had special significance for her and her son Finlay.

Finlay was just six weeks old when the 2013 grand final was held. Two years later, he developed cancer, and relapsed a year later. "It's 10 years now since his relapse," Katie said. "So it's his year and it's the Dockers' year, and all he wants is the Dockers to win on grand final day … that's his celebration."

Dockers ruckman Mason Cox and his teammates were in attendance at the open training session. Imogen Somerville, who has also supported the Dockers "her entire life", described the event as overwhelming.

"It was really cool to be able to get down here," she said. "It was like five bucks to get in, which was awesome, so couldn't miss out on that."

Fans cheered the team on the field, then posed for photographs with their football heroes, who signed jerseys, posters and autographs. The event was also attended by past players, the club's chief executive Simon Garlick and Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti.

Lee Spurr, who played in the 2013 grand final, said he felt "nothing but proud" to see his club back in the running for the flag. "I was pretty nervous watching the prelim, but now that they're there, I feel like I'm almost playing. My phone's been blowing up," he said.

"My advice would be don't get caught up in doing too much, " he said. "This week's about doing the process, doing what's right and preparing."

Superstar ruckman Luke Jackson said he loved having the fans participate in the club's biggest week. "Just pure excitement. Can't wait to get over there and can't wait to play on Saturday in front of all these fans. It will be good fun," he said.

Defender Jordan Clark was also excited, and grateful, to see the fans. "They support us through thick and thin, as they have done for the last 30 years," he said. "So they're pretty happy with this moment and they rightly deserve to be, so it's pretty special when we get this support."

With no chance of making the training session, dozens of Dockers fans 1,600 kilometres away flocked to Broome airport today to catch the only direct flight to Melbourne before Saturday. David Leslie, who goes by Docker Dave, has followed the team since its inception said his faith had been "restored" after their stellar final performances against Swans and Geelong.

"We are going to flog the lions," he said.