Fremantle is set to play Adelaide on Friday, August 14, at Optus Stadium, with the game commencing at 6:10 PM WST. This Round 23 fixture is significant as Fremantle aims to secure the minor premiership. The Dockers will be wearing a retro purple and green anchor jumper, along with matching shorts, inspired by their inaugural club game in 1995. This event also serves as a Member Thank You Round, acknowledging the support of the Purple Army throughout the 2026 season.
The Purple Army has demonstrated strong support in 2026, marked by significant crowd attendance and memorable club victories, leading into another Finals series. As part of the Member Thank You Round, various prizes will be distributed leading up to the Friday night match against Adelaide. Tickets for the game are available through Ticketmaster, with prices starting from $39.
Match Day Information and Activities
Gates at Optus Stadium will open at 4:30 PM, with membership services available from 4:00 PM at Gate B and E. The Purple Playground, located at Southern Oval, will open at 4:10 PM, offering activities such as an inflatable obstacle course, Freo Super Goals, and an inflatable marking spot. Attendees can also get Freo airbrush tattoos and participate in Freo Footy Themed Corn Hole Boards.
Musical entertainment will be provided by Crooked Colours, who will perform a feature set before the game on Friday night and return at half-time for a potential song debut. Additionally, 101 Oh What Fun! at Lobby 101 will feature airbrush tattoos, a craft workshop where fans can decorate footy stress balls, and a player visit at half-time for autographs and selfies. This area will close at the end of three-quarter time.
Further activities include 131 Even More Fun! at the Western Podium, behind section 131. This area will host Wheelchair Footy, offering ‘come and try’ sessions and information on adaptive football for individuals with disabilities. Fans can also create personalized retro-themed player cards and test their reaction speed with a game involving falling batons. A Freo Guess Who? game will also be available for fans to challenge their knowledge of Dockers players.
Other attractions include TABtouch Darts, where participants can throw felt footballs at a dartboard for a chance to win merchandise and vouchers. The AFL Gameday Rooftop Experience offers a unique opportunity to watch the first or third quarter of the game from the top of Optus Stadium, with bookings available through THE OZONE. The City View Cafe will be open, while the Goodwood restaurant will be closed. The Freo Clubhouse in River View Rooms and Sky View Lounge will be accessible to those with room access tickets.
Transport and Game Significance
For those attending the game, trains between Perth and Perth Stadium Station will operate every 4 minutes from 4:05 PM until 6:33 PM. Trains on the Armadale and Thornlie-Cockburn lines will run every 12 minutes. However, direct trains on the Yanchep and Mandurah lines will not operate before the match due to the weekday peak-hour timetable. The Suburban Event Bus Network will not be active before the game, but it will operate for 45 minutes after the match. Alternatively, attendees can use the Red CAT and walk over the Matagarup Bridge.
This match holds considerable importance for Fremantle, who currently sit at 18-3. A victory against Adelaide would secure their first-place finish, despite a recent narrow defeat against Melbourne. The Dockers will also focus on strengthening their defense, which conceded its highest score of the season in the previous match. Adelaide, with a 14-7 record, still has a chance to achieve a top-four finish by surpassing Brisbane or Hawthorn. However, Adelaide faces a challenging record against the Dockers, having won only one of their last seven encounters and never beating them at their current home ground in Perth.
Among the key players for Fremantle is Luke Ryan, who has returned to form, averaging six rebound 50s per game over the past six weeks, reaching 200 matches. For Adelaide, Izak Rankine delivered a notable performance against the Tigers, accumulating 36 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 11 clearances, and a goal. The 26-year-old has averaged 28.7 disposals and 7.2 clearances over six matches, playing more in the midfield. The game is scheduled to commence at 6:10 PM WST.
Source: foxsports.com.au