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Despite being a West Coast fan, when Fremantle made the AFL grand final in 2013 I was delighted. But many Dockers followers were annoyed by what they deemed ‘bandwagon’ fans getting behind their team.
It struck me as a strange response. Why not embrace the wave of support for your side rippling through Western Australia rather than acting like a child with a toy it won’t share.
There was a confounding view among some Fremantle barrackers at the time that anyone who wasn’t a Dockers’ devotee should not have been able to enjoy the side’s success.
This sentiment was best encapsulated in a social media post by a well known ABC employee in Perth.
He wrote: “There are some of you out there masquerading as Dockers supporters under the ‘we support WA teams’ guise. Bugger off. This isn’t for you. It’s for those who stuck fast.”
His post piqued my interest as it indirectly referred to me. You see, I am a passionate Eagles supporter.
Along with my parents, I was a founding member of Fremantle’s cross town rivals.
Yet I follow the Dockers closely and was chuffed when they made their first grand final.
I barracked boisterously for them as they tried to take down Hawthorn on that last day in September at the MCG.
Why do I support both of the derby rivals? Because when Fremantle joined the AFL I was a 12-year-old boy who not only was obsessed with footy but also had a strong connection to the port city.
Born and raised in WA, I was thrilled to have a second local team to support and even more so because, as a follower of East Fremantle in the WAFL, the Dockers represented my interests.
A few years later, this connection with Fremantle football was strengthened when I played colts and reserves for South Fremantle in the WAFL alongside several players who went on to wear a purple guernsey.
Hence, over the past 21 seasons I have backed Fremantle every time they have taken to the field to battle any side other than West Coast.
Even when they play the Eagles, I’m not overly downcast when they triumph, unless such a loss would derail West Coast’s season.
I cannot fathom why this would work irk a Fremantle fan. I cannot fathom why, during the proudest period in their club’s history in 2013, some were preoccupied with the support coming from West Coast fans like myself.
I cannot fathom why they were doing anything but soaking up the joyous experience of the success they had so long craved.
What do you think Roarers? Do you have a ‘second team’ in the AFL, NRL or Super Rugby?
Do you get frustrated when your club’s supporter base swells during times of success and shrinks in periods of underperformance?
Do you think I’m a weak-kneed fence sitter trying to double my chances of skolling celebratory beers each weekend?