Fremantle’s players opted to drown their grand final sorrows in the harbour city last night, with injured captain Alex Pearce among the Dockers spotted at an Irish pub.
Mons O’Shea on the city’s cappuccino strip was the venue of choice for a contingent which included Pearce, All Australian centre-half-forward Josh Treacy, popular forward Pat Voss and defenders Heath Chapman and Oscar McDonald.
Pearce — who suffered an Achilles injury in the third quarter of their heartbreaking loss to Brisbane — appeared to be a popular target for photo requests from Fremantle fans, while small forward Isaiah Dudley was also happy to pose for selfies.
The pub also posted vision to their Instagram story of the players receiving a rousing welcome to the venue, complete with a standing ovation and plenty of handshakes from star-struck supporters whose enthusiasm was not sapped by their side’s premiership dreams ending at the MCG on Saturday.
The Dockers returned to Perth from Melbourne on Sunday morning, being greeted warmly by fans who had assembled both at both the airport and as they made their training and administration base at Cockburn ARC.
Their list will have their exit meetings within the coming days, with the AFL Players Association mandating players begin a period of leave within a week of their season ending.
Fremantle’s fairest and best award night will be staged on Saturday.
