FREMANTLE businesses face a “slap in the face” if the Dockers simply drive a bus down the Cappuccino Strip before taking the premiership cup to Cockburn, Fremantle Chamber of Commerce CEO Chrissie Maus says.

“You’ve got to remember, this is their spiritual home, and just because they play in a boring concrete jungle out in Cockburn … they owe it to their people to celebrate with us in Freo, because it’s in their name,” Ms Maus told 6PR radio this week after saying she’d come across their drive-by plans.

Her comments come as Fremantle Mayor Ben Lawver says the City has prepared infrastructure for the Dockers to stop in Fremantle and celebrate with supporters if they win Saturday’s AFL Grand Final.

The City has an existing sponsorship agreement with the club which, according to council documents, includes a commitment to a post-Grand Final parade if the Dockers qualify for and win the premiership.

Mr Lawver said the Dockers had not yet confirmed their plans, and he’d put in a personal call to CEO Simon Garlick.

“So first of all they need to win before any of this happens. So if… when they win, you know then the Dockers will decide what the Dockers are doing. We’ve set aside funds to have them stop. We’ve got all the infrastructure in place from the grand final from the day before to support them stopping, so we’re ready.”

He said the contractual arrangement with the City remained active.

“Absolutely, and you know we could read that contract, and as with any contract, different people could read it and come up with different interpretations.

”I think personally, the Fremantle Dockers, when they bring home their first flag, they should celebrate with the fans who have been with them since their inception. Since their founding. 

Natural

“I think it’s a natural thing for them to want to do, and at the City we’re doing everything we can to facilitate that. Like I said, to have the infrastructure in place.”

The City is planning a major Grand Final live site on the Cappuccino Strip, while its event information says it and the Dockers are working on a potential community celebration and parade on Sunday if Fremantle wins.

Mr Lawver said a Cockburn celebration did not necessarily have to rule out Fremantle, nor the rest of the state.

“It doesn’t say Cockburn on their jerseys. And there’s also nothing stopping them from doing more than one event. All we can do at the City is what we can control. 

“So we’ve done everything that we can, and we’re ready for the Dockers to to stop, show the cup and celebrate with their fans.”

Cockburn Council has allocated $50,000 for community activation if the Dockers qualify for the Grand Final. The City says the funding is for community activities and that event details are being developed with the club.

Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said nothing had been confirmed.

“We are very excited about Saturday and are fully behind the Dockers. Nothing has been confirmed, but we continue to work with the Club on scenarios and how we might be able to assist in celebrating with the community.”

by STEVE GRANT