Wharfie Time: How Fremantle's viral celebration backfired in the AFL grand final

Fremantle fans were left stunned and heartbroken as their team's viral celebration, dubbed Wharfie Time, backfired in the AFL grand final. The Dockers' unique tradition, which involves dimming the stadium lights and playing AC/DC's 'Hells Bells', was meant to energize the crowd and inspire the team to victory.

But on Saturday, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the celebration seemed to have the opposite effect. With four minutes and 18 seconds left on the clock, Fremantle's Patrick Voss kicked a goal to put the Dockers up by 17 points, and Wharfie Time was triggered. The bells tolled, the crowd went wild, but the Brisbane Lions refused to give up.

In a stunning turn of events, the Lions scored four goals in the final four minutes, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. The Dockers' players and fans were left devastated, wondering what could have been.

What is Wharfie Time?

Wharfie Time is a viral celebration that the Dockers have been using sparingly in close games at Perth Stadium during the 2026 season. It's only ever used after a Fremantle goal, and it's designed to get the crowd up and about to inspire the Fremantle players to see the game out as strongly as possible.

The lights in the stadium dim, leaving only an eerie glow of purple, as the bells from AC/DC's song 'Hells Bells' toll through the stadium and the words 'Wharfie Time' appear on the big screen. The Dockers have recently gone all-in on embracing AC/DC, with the rock band's music playing a significant role in their pre-game and post-goal celebrations.

The origins of Wharfie Time

The phrase 'Wharfie Time' was first used by former Dockers skipper Matthew Pavlich in a pre-match speech in 2009. Pavlich was mic'd up before the match and was caught telling his teammates 'put on your Superman capes boys, it's Wharfie Time'.