The ball and field were different shapes from what they’re used to, but footy fans turned out in force tonight to make one final memory at the State’s home of football.

Young and old alike flooded onto the field for the last time as the sun set on Subiaco Oval following Australia's nail-biting victory over Ireland, a fitting curtain-call for the 109-year-old ground.

Some overly enthusiastic fans had to be prevented from ripping up chunks of grass as they sought to take home part of the hallowed turf.

Earlier, inaugural Fremantle Docker Craig Callaghan was among the 30,116 that streamed through the gates of Subiaco Oval for the final time to watch Australia defeat Ireland in an International Rules thriller.

It was the final major sporting fixture at “Subi”, which formally opened in 1908. Since then it has hosted 1434 WAFL games, 545 AFL games and a galaxy of rock stars.

Joined by his father Laurie, wife Pauline and sons Jordan and James, Callaghan said he had a special place in his heart for the oval where he played the majority of his 124-game AFL career.

“My dad brought me here to watch footy when I was a child and I’ve done the same with my boys,” he said.

“Subiaco Oval has so much culture and heritage and it is sad to see that come to an end but at the same time the new Perth Stadium looks phenomenal.”

Father and son Ketih and Clinton Isard were at West Coast's first ever AFL game against Richmond in 1987 and went to both the Eagles and Dockers final fixtures at the stadium earlier this year.

Keith Isard grew up around the corner from the stadium and earned his pocket money selling ham rolls to punters who snuck out of WAFL games for a quick pint at The Vic between halves.

Dockers member Diane Meakins welled up recalling her side's preliminary final win over Sydney in 2013.

"The whole crowd started chanting M-C-G, it was really special" she said.

"I chartered a plane and myself and 100 of closet friends flew across to Melbourne for the grand final."

Ms Meakins said watching Matthew Pavlich kick his 600th goal in his 300th career game against Geelong was also a treasured memory.

Subiaco's leading AFL games player with 195, Pavlich was in the crowd Saturday to farewell the stadium where he forged his status as a titan of the game.

The WA Football Commission will auction off parts of the stadium – including rows of seats, signs and other memorabilia – although a date is yet to be set.

The Eagles will continue to train at Subiaco Oval until their new base at Lathlain Park is complete and demolition of the ground is not likely to begin until late next year.