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Dockers AFLW boss Claire Heffernan urges fans to paint Fremantle Oval purple ahead of elimination final

Samantha RogersThe West Australian
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Freo fans are set to be out in force on Saturday.
Camera IconFreo fans are set to be out in force on Saturday. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

Fremantle have urged their fans to paint the town purple as the club hosts Essendon in a do-or-die clash at Fremantle Oval on Saturday.

The in-form Dockers earned hosting rights for the blockbuster elimination final after narrowly missing out on a top-four berth on percentage, while the Bombers just sneaked into the top eight.

While Fremantle will go into the game as favourites, head of AFLW Claire Heffernan said it was important for fans to pack the home venue and give their team a big advantage.

“We would love to get a big crowd there,” Heffernan told The West Australian.

“We would love to get as many colourful Freo people down there as possible to get their voices behind us and hopefully, drive us to get a good win.”

The Dockers will take momentum into finals after winning their last four games of the home-and-away season, including a 14-point victory over the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

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Heffernan said while the club was thrilled to be back in finals for the first time in three seasons, the Dockers will treat the knockout bout like any other game, from the first bounce to the final siren.

“We’re very excited. The club is really pumped,” Heffernan said of playing in November.

“We’re enjoying the ride and it’s been a hell of a journey to get here, but in the same breath, we are looking at it as another week and another game.”

The Dockers have enjoyed a remarkable rise from 13th last year to 5th in coach Lisa Webb’s second season at the helm, despite injuries to key players this season.

Heffernan said the on-field success is a product of club-wide buy-in.

“(We’ve got a) really supportive club that gets behind the women’s program. I think that’s been huge in building that belief,” she said.

“You can really see that belief growing in how we play games and how we contest and sort of that ‘never give up’ attitude.”

The Dockers are keen to put on a show for their home fans on Saturday.
Camera IconThe Dockers are keen to put on a show for their home fans on Saturday. Credit: Will Russell/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images

While Fremantle remains focussed on the Bombers ahead of the do-or-die clash, Heffernan admits you have to “dare to dream” of the ultimate success.

The Dockers would become the first club in the league to claim a women’s flag before the men’s team.

“Ultimately, it’s what you play for (a premiership). It’s what you put all your hours in during the week for,” she said.

“I know that both Lisa and I, we have spoken about it. We would absolutely love to win the first W flag for the Fremantle Dockers. That is the goal.

“You can only take it one game at a time but that is the ultimate goal and we certainly don’t shy away from that. The ultimate success, that’s what you strive for.”

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