Fremantle’s iconic “Wharfie Time” celebration turned into a painful punchline after Brisbane used the MCG spectacle as fuel for one of the most remarkable grand final comebacks in recent memory.
The Dockers led by 17 points with fewer than five minutes left when Patrick Voss’s goal triggered the bells, flashing lights and dramatic big-screen production around the stadium.
Instead of sealing Fremantle’s long-awaited premiership, the celebration marked the beginning of a stunning collapse.
Brisbane responded with four unanswered goals to prevail 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89), complete an extraordinary premiership three-peat and leave Fremantle fans questioning whether the Wharfie Time button had been activated far too early.
Lions captain Lachie Neale later confirmed that Brisbane had discussed the possibility of the Dockers unleashing the ritual during the week.
“Yeah, we spoke about it quite early in the week,” Neale said.
Fremantle’s famous “Wharfie Time” celebration backfired spectacularly as Brisbane stormed home to claim grand final glory
Lachie Neale said the Lions had planned to turn “Wharfie Time” into motivation if Fremantle activated the spectacle
Brisbane struck four times in the final five minutes, transforming Fremantle’s celebration into grand final heartbreak
“It meant go time for us as well. I’m sure Fremantle will try and get a lift out of that, but we spoke about making sure it gives us a lift.”
Neale also credited Josh Dunkley with helping lift Brisbane’s intensity, as the midfielder raised his arms and urged his teammates forward while the stadium show played out.
“Great leadership,” Neale said.
Fremantle introduced Wharfie Time as a way to energise players and supporters during tight finishes, reflecting the club’s working-class roots and its connection to Fremantle’s historic port.
The tradition features the ringing bells from AC/DC’s “Hells Bells” alongside striking big-screen images of a boat powering through rough water.
For the grand final, the AFL granted Fremantle permission to use the production once, directly after a Dockers goal.
Voss’s late goal appeared to create the ideal moment for its dramatic debut.
With Fremantle seemingly in control and a maiden premiership within reach, the roaring celebration appeared to underline the belief that the Dockers were moments away from making history.
Josh Dunkley (right) fired up his Brisbane teammates as the stadium spectacle signalled “go time” for the Lions
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Logan Morris put Brisbane in front with one minute remaining before returning to add the decisive goal
Fremantle supporters watched their hopes of a first premiership disappear during a frantic final passage at the MCG
Instead, Brisbane launched a devastating final charge.
Charlie Cameron and Zac Bailey kicked two goals within a minute, turning the match on its head and putting the Dockers under enormous pressure.
Logan Morris then delivered the decisive blows, kicking twice as Brisbane stormed home.
His crucial contested mark came in a forward line no longer patrolled by Fremantle captain Alex Pearce, who had been forced out with an Achilles injury.
Dunkley confirmed the Lions had deliberately turned their opponents’ ritual into a source of inspiration.
‘We talked about Wharfie Time and making that our energy,’ he said.
For the Brisbane midfielder, the comeback reflected lessons the team had absorbed throughout the season about responding when opponents seized momentum.
‘Seventeen points down, it’s hard to probably feel that momentum when you’re that far down deep into the last quarter, but you could feel it still,’ Dunkley said.
‘There’s only one choice, to go at the game. They challenged us, they’re an unbelievable side.’
Online, fans wasted little time connecting Fremantle’s collapse with the timing of their stadium show.
‘Wharfie Time jinxed it,’ one wrote.
‘You just witnessed the death of Wharfie Time,’ another posted.
‘Whoever pressed the button for Wharfie Time is cooked,’ added a third.
Another imagined the triumphant scene organisers might have expected.
‘And you just KNOW whoever told the hapless Freo intern to press the Wharfie Time button was envisioning a fairytale finish, with everyone chanting a mighty ‘HEAVE HO!’ and purple and white confetti floating across the ground.’
One viewer posed the question Dockers supporters will have little appetite to revisit: ‘Did Wharfie Time backfire for Freo?’