Fremantle Dockers' purple army marches across Nullarbor for AFL grand final
Thousands of Fremantle Dockers fans are making the 3,000-kilometre journey across the Nullarbor to attend Saturday's AFL grand final in Melbourne. Despite rising fuel prices, fans are undeterred and eager to support their team.
Thousands of Fremantle Dockers fans, affectionately known as the 'purple army,' are embarking on a 3,000-kilometre journey across the Nullarbor to attend Saturday's AFL grand final in Melbourne.
After Fremantle secured their spot in the big game on Friday night, airlines have increased flights to Melbourne, but at a higher cost. Undeterred, many fans have opted to drive, despite the rising fuel prices. A litre of diesel at Eucla is fetching $3.22, compared to Perth's cheapest diesel at $2.59 a litre.
The Nullarbor turns purple
Around a dozen fans travelling on a large purple bus called 'The Longmuir Coach' departed Perth on Monday night. Former Fremantle player Hayden Ballantyne, who played in Fremantle's only previous grand final in 2013, is among the group.