Fremantle turns purple as Dockers attempt grand final history

In the heart and home of the Dockers — the City of Fremantle — it's hard to escape the colour purple. As history beckons for the AFL team, flags and signs line every wall and corner of the city centre, and purple scarves have become the uniform. People walking down the famous cappuccino strip this week watched in awe as artist Jerome Davenport painted a mural in honour of the Fremantle Dockers. "I really do hope that this inspires a few people, and the players," he said after finishing the giant work in just four days. "I sat here 13 years ago in this street and watched them the first time they were in the finals. "What an honour to be here and be a part of it for the second time." As the Dockers head towards making what could be premiership history, business has been rife in purple cannolis, ice creams, beer and hot dogs. The local school has temporarily rebranded as the "Fremantle Dockers College" and allowed students to dress up in purple on Friday for a gold coin donation to one of the team's charities of choice, the Starlight Children's Foundation. Principal Stan Koios said the city felt electric. "We thought, let's get on board the euphoria that started with the Dockers and their success … let's get a bit quirky and crazy," he said. Public screens have been set up at several locations across the city for a grand final watch party, with 40,000 people expected to attend. Roads in central Fremantle have been closed, and public transport is free for the day. Winners forever Regardless of Saturday's result, there's no doubt in the minds of locals that the Dockers are winners. "They are the best team in all of Australia; nothing can compare to them," student Nathan Campisi said. Another local, Juliet Kirsten, said the town had watched the team grow and was now ready to see them make their mark in history. "We've seen the club grow over the years, and Freo just responded over the years with the community vibe and everything, and it's just gone exponentially better and better," she said. "We're going to win." The ABC of SPORT Sports content to make you think... or allow you not to. A newsletter delivered each Saturday. [Image text:] FREMANTLE LET'SGL FREQ! 1897 EEERAST