Hospitality venues are preparing for the ‘purple wave’ to sweep across Fremantle, ahead of the Dockers’ clash with the Western Bulldogs.

The Fremantle Dockers are playing in their first AFL Finals series since 2015, and the city is preparing for the crowds ahead of the big game. 

City of Fremantle mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge says local businesses will profit from the excitement building around town.

“I know the local bars and hospitality scene will be making the most of both AFLW in the morning and then rolling into the evening finals match on the big screen,” she says.

While the City of Fremantle is keeping a lid on the fanfare around the local cappuccino strip, Ms Fitzhardinge says these events provide a major boost for the economy.

“We are seeing full car parks, massive foot traffic and we often hear back from business about how successful these types of events are for them,” she says.

“They see their turnover significantly increase, which is a real positive for the local area.”

If Fremantle continues its winning run throughout the finals series, Ms Fitzhardinge says the city will put out all the stops to support their team.

“If Fremantle does get through to the grand final, that is when we really turn it on; we paint the cappuccino strip purple and do all the things you would expect,” she says.

“It is certainly going to be an exciting atmosphere.”

One of the local businesses expected to profit from the weekend festivities is Ballers Sports Bar.

Located in the heart of town, venue manager Ben Kealley says this is a really important occasion for Fremantle.

Mr Kealley says he hasn’t seen as much excitement since the Dockers reached the grand final in 2013.

He says the excitement is building in town, with plenty of exciting festivities planned for the weekend.

“For this weekend, we are hell-bent on going loud, we will have some deals on during the day, balloons are going up everywhere and I just really cannot wait.”

To celebrate the Dockers’ first finals period since 2015, Pirate Life Brewery has collaborated with the Fremantle Football Club to produce the ‘Wharfie Draught’ to mark the occasion.

Founder and brewer director at Pirate Life Michael Cameron says the demand for his product has been high, with plenty of Dockers’ fans wanting to get their hands on the craft beer in time to cheer their team on.

“The demand for our product has been absolutely fantastic and the feedback that we have received so far has been more than we could have ever imagined,” he says.

“Hopefully the Dockers fans can grab a can of Wharfie Draught and watch their team go all their way.”