West Coast faithful celebrate Fremantle’s heartbreaking finals loss at John Worsfold Medal

The western derby rivalry has kicked on in September, with sections of people at West Coast’s John Worsfold Medal night celebrating Fremantle’s heartbreaking one-point defeat to Gold Coast.

The Dockers were bundled out of finals in the most devastating of fashion at Optus Stadium on Saturday night, as the Suns claimed a thrilling win in the dying seconds.

And only a few kicks down the road, there were plenty of pleased members of the Eagles’ faithful at Crown Perth’s Grand Ballroom who enjoyed the Dockers’ despair.

Proceedings for the annual club champion award night had paused for a dinner break during the final quarter of the Freo-Suns clash.

And there was plenty of interested people, with groups gathered around phones to watch the exciting end to the elimination final.

When retiring Suns great David Swallow kicked what looked to be the match-winning goal there was a lot of cheering and clapping throughout the event.

It then paused after the goal review deemed it touched off the boot and a behind, before small pockets of celebrations once again began as the final siren sounded.

West Coast held their club champion award on the same night as their cross-town rivals were fighting for their footballing lives.

The Eagles were coming off a historic-low one-win season, having only beaten St Kilda in round 10 which was sandwiched between two big losing streaks.

It was Fremantle’s first finals campaign since 2022, while the Eagles have not tasted September action since 2020.

They’ve only won 11 games in the past four seasons and have claimed the dubious honour of wooden spooners twice in the past three seasons.