Eagles and Dockers fans gear up for finals

What’s the only ship that has never docked in Fremantle? The Premiership.

Why should you never swim in Fremantle? Because there are no flags.

And here’s one for the locals – why are the Dockers moving to Cockburn? To get closure to Success.

For the past 20 years, West Coast Eagles fans have revelled in joking about their purple counterpart’s finals failures.

But as the top two teams head into back-to-back qualifying finals this weekend, Dockers fans are out to pluck the ultimate victory.

League leaders Fremantle are the betting pick to win against the Sydney Swans from the comfort of Domain Stadium on Saturday.

While the Dockers’ odds to reach the MCG on October 3 are also strong, the Eagles face an uphill battle, starting with their match against flag favourites Hawthorn on Friday night.

For some West Coast fans, going out in straight sets, beginning with a loss to the Hawks, would be a merciful end compared to the ongoing torture of forfeiting the flag to Freo in a derby decider.

Regardless of a WA showdown outcome, there’s no doubt many sickies will be chucked on Monday by dejected fans drowning their sorrows in leftover cold meat pies.

Hopes are high and the odds slim, but battlelines have already been drawn in Perth.

The team’s sponsors, resource sector titans Woodside and BHP Billiton, have shown their support for the Dockers and Eagles with massive signs on their buildings standing out on the city skyline.

As the Nullarbor braces for the possible migration of 40,000 Sandgropers, at least one thing unites all WA fans – beating Victoria at its own game.

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