After 19 years of witnessing mostly AFL underachievement, Fremantle supporters weren’t going to miss this.

Tens of thousands of Dockers faithful packed Melbourne’s CBD for the traditional grand final parade on Friday – Fremantle’s first-ever.

Big in numbers and loud of voice, the “Freo, Freo” chant followed the team down Swanston Street and up Collins Street, leaving no doubt in the minds of Fremantle’s players about how big the occasion will be against Hawthorn at the MCG on game day.

“Just unreal the turnout,” Fremantle midfielder Matt de Boer said.

“It’s exciting – it’s a bit daunting as well. Now I just can’t wait,” said forward Michael Walters, balancing spellbound 20-month-old daughter Laila on a chair on the back of the ute carrying him in the parade.

Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley got a taste of what he can expect at the MCG on Saturday – booed by Hawks fans pretty much the entire length of the route.

Luckily for him, the Hawks’ faithful appeared to be outnumbered by Dockers fans, who let loose a chorus of boos to drown out the Hawks’ club song once the teams reached Treasury Place.

Fremantle’s best finals performance before this season was making the preliminary final in 2006, beaten by Sydney.

In so many other years, Fremantle’s frailties have led to them being labelled the Shockers rather than the Dockers, though coach Ross Lyon’s arrival two years ago has transformed both team and club.

For Lyon, Saturday’s premiership decider is also a chance to taste success for the first time as a head coach.

His St Kilda team featured in three grand finals – including the 2010 replay – with no wins to show for it.

Hawthorn, who last won the premiership in 2008, are coming off defeat in the grand final last year.

More than 95,000 are expected for the match – a sizeable contingent coming over from Western Australia to support the Dockers.