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New stadium could see Freo lose the Dockers, warns Mayor

FREMANTLE Mayor Peter Tagliaferri has warned the possible locations for the new 60,000-seat stadium could spell the end of the Fremantle Dockers.

“The stadium taskforce report recommends both AFL teams move to the stadium for everything and that includes matches, training, their headquarters and so on,” he said.

“That means they will have no connection to Fremantle whatsoever and, in that case, you may as well call them West Coast Team B.

“The report calls on the State Government to show leadership by getting both AFL clubs to agree to use the new stadium and if that happens, there’s a very serious danger of Fremantle losing the Fremantle Football Club forever.”

One option under consideration by the City of Fremantle is a new venue at Fremantle Park on Ellen Street – an administration and community centre – part of a bigger Fremantle Park masterplan currently in development.

“It’s simply one way we’re looking at preventing the Fremantle Football Club from moving but I should stress the idea is only in its early stages and just one of several being considered for the Fremantle Park area,” Mayor Tagliaferri said.

“We want something that will be beneficial for the entire community and have the club involved in the process as well, although I should point out a stadium for Fremantle has never been on the agenda.”

Mayor Tagliaferri indicated he actually welcomed WA’s proposed new stadium but felt the price of getting the necessary AFL support was too high.

“Obviously, the Dockers will play at the new stadium wherever it may be but our biggest concern is losing the Fremantle Football Club from its Fremantle base,” he said.

“The City of Fremantle is renowned for its proud sporting tradition, matched with a commitment to heritage, and if the Dockers ever left our port city it would show complete disregard for our sporting history.

“At the end of the day, we want to do what’s best for the future of football in Fremantle – and booting the Dockers out to ensure the success of a new stadium has surely got to be out of bounds.”