AFL grand final: Live coverage of Fremantle Dockers’ Thursday as club ramps up preparations for decider
We’re just two days out from Fremantle’s grand final blockbuster! Stay across all the news of the day here as the Dockers settle on their squad flying east and Lachie Neale appeals his suspension.
AFL: We’re just two days out from Fremantle’s grand final blockbuster - and there’s plenty happening!
The Dockers fly out of Perth Airport to descend on Melbourne on Thursday as they put the finishing touches on their preparations for the MCG decider.
And in the rival camp, Lachie Neale faces his final chance of getting cleared to play as Brisbane take his suspension to an appeals board.
We’ll have the day covered from all angles. Reporters Craig O’Donoghue, Glen Quartermain and Mitchell Woodcock are on the ground in Melbourne, while Josh Kempton will be at Perth Airport as the club catches what it’ll be hoping is a flight of destiny.
Stay across the latest all day with our live coverage!
Freo’s travelling squad locked in
Our man on the ground at Perth Airport, Josh Kempton, reports that the Dockers are taking a squad of 27 to Melbourne - with Brennan Cox among that group.
Brennan Cox’s hopes of making a stunning grand final return have been given another boost after the Fremantle defender was among their travelling party to Saturday’s grand final.
Cox was one of the final Dockers to make their way through Perth Airport’s departure lounge on Wednesday morning, with his son Arlo in tow.
And Brandon Walker, Chris Scerri and Jaeger O’Meara also made the trip, alongside the 23 players to line up in both the semifinal and preliminary final.
Cox, who trained strongly on Wednesday, has not played since the final round of the home and away season, when he suffered a calf injury against Carlton.
He was slated to feature in Sunday’s WAFL grand final for Peel Thunder before later being withdrawn, meaning the season decider against the Lions at the MCG would be his first competitive hit-out for 35 days.
Walker was called up in favour of Judd McVee for Fremantle’s qualifying loss to Hawthorn but injured his ankle in the loss to the Hawks, returning through the State league as the Thunder smashed Claremont at the weekend.
Fremantle’s charter flight was one of eight which left Perth for Melbourne between 8.30am and 10.30am and dozens of Dockers fans gave their side a big cheer as they made their way up to security.
Players arrive at Perth Airport
Freo’s players have piled into Perth Airport ahead of their mid-morning flight to Melbourne.
Caleb Serong had his customary pillow under his arm - continuing his usual travel routine - and his teammates appeared relaxed as they got off the team bus and headed into the terminal.
Malthouse’s say
“By holding the Lions at bay with trench-like football, Fremantle can then get the big boys — who have been patchy — to get involved and take care of business at the front end.”
While we await Freo’s airport arrival, here’s what Mick Malthouse has to say about the Dockers’ match-up with the Lions in today’s The West Australian.
The master coach says Justin Longmuir’s side can’t afford to be dragged into a shootout (and that might be helped by an updated forecast of showers and up to 15mm of rain in Melbourne on Saturday).
The scene at Perth Airport
Reporter Josh Kempton is our man at Perth Airport, and has this to say ahead of Freo’s imminent arrival:
Fremantle’s players and coaches are set to arrive at Perth Airport in the coming moments for their flight to Melbourne.
While it would be a shock if any of the 23 players who lined up in both the semifinal and preliminary final did not make the trip, the additions to their travelling party will provide a major source of intrigue.
Dozens of fans have filtered through the departures lounge dressed in plenty of purple, and some have even congregated at the top of an escalator adjacent to security to wish their team well.
Welcome
Hello and welcome to our coverage of Freo’s BIG Thursday!
We’re two days out from the Big Dance, and it’s within touching distance for the Dockers now. They’re currently on their way from club HQ to Perth Airport as they prepare to board their flight to Melbourne.
Stick with us throughout the day as we keep you across the latest news and developments as they happen!
