Brisbane Lions' Grand Final Comeback Fueled by Fremantle's 'Wharfie Time' Ritual
The Lions rallied from a 17-point deficit in the final minutes, using Fremantle's own stadium celebration as motivation.
Brisbane's remarkable AFL Grand Final victory over Fremantle was significantly aided by the Lions using their opponents' own celebratory ritual, dubbed 'Wharfie Time,' as a rallying cry. Fremantle fans and some analysts have declared the ritual 'cooked' after it appeared to backfire, fueling Brisbane's stunning comeback in the final five minutes.
With Fremantle leading by 17 points after a goal from Patrick Voss, the Dockers activated 'Wharfie Time,' a spectacle involving AC/DC's 'Hells Bells,' dramatic boat footage, lights, and bell sounds designed to energize the team and supporters. However, this moment became a turning point for Brisbane.
Lions star Lachie Neale revealed that the team had discussed the ritual beforehand. "Yeah, we spoke about it quite early in the week," Neale stated. "It meant go time for us as well. I'm sure Fremantle will try and get a lift out of that, but we spoke about making sure it gives us a lift."
Josh Dunkley also confirmed the team's strategy. "We talked about Wharfie Time and making that our energy," he said. Dunkley was observed rallying his teammates during the spectacle, encouraging them as the stadium show unfolded. This comeback victory marked Brisbane's third consecutive premiership.
Fremantle's 'Wharfie Time' ritual, rooted in the club's working-class port heritage, is typically deployed during tense finishes. The AFL permitted Fremantle to use it once during the Grand Final, which appeared to be a perfect opportunity when Voss scored.
Instead, Brisbane responded with four unanswered goals. Charlie Cameron and Zac Bailey scored within a minute, quickly shifting the momentum. Logan Morris then secured the lead with two goals, including a crucial contested mark in the forward line, despite the absence of Fremantle captain Alex Pearce, who sustained an Achilles injury.
Online reactions from fans quickly linked Fremantle's collapse to the activation of their celebration. Comments on social media declared the ritual had "jinxed" the team and questioned the timing of its activation. The final score was 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89) in favor of Brisbane.