All hands on deck

by LES EVERETT

WE were onto something last week with our suggestion there's been more to Fremantle's winning streak than meets the eye.

All sorts of subtle and mystical urging have been going on in the lounge rooms, cars and minds of those in the purple army over the last couple of months.

Perhaps most compelling was a message we received from San Diego, USA from David Zampatti who once the ideas person behind many Fremantle project and functions.

He, along with former Freo hospitality figures Julian Heppekausen and Michael Cameron, is establishing the Bondi Lifesaver chain of eateries in the US based on "...the best qualities of contemporary Australian lifestyle."

Mr Z has no doubt about the part he's played in the success of the team he loves.

"...all you guys taking credit for the rise and rise of the Dockers need to take a long hard look at yourself. The overarching reason for the team (and club's) success is pretty straightforward: getting me as far away from it as possible. I hardly need tell you about Freo's performance during the "Dark", or "Zampatti", Ages (1995 Ü 2002), or of its immediate renaissance following my departure in 2003. The wasted years of 2004/5 are explained by my regular attendance at games and continuing contact with the club, and it's only been actually leaving the country that has finally freed the team to achieve its potential. My friends are asking me if I'm going to be at the 'G for the GF if we make it. Fugheddaboudit! I'm booking on board the next Space Shuttle mission to make absolutely sure of the result..."

Other correspondents have told of new game plans...

A purple toy dragon adopted as a Dockers mascot after the Geelong game by a 10-year-old girl.

A bad 1980s compilation listened to in the car on the way to games.

Another fan dangled his scarf into his soup after the Essendon win that started the winning streak and hasn't washed it since.

And one reader hasn't had a hair cut since the winning run began. Here's hoping he ends up looking like Tim Winton (also incidentally a Dockers fan and a great admirer of Robert Haddrill).

Keep up the good work.

From the Fremantle Herald.

8 September 2006

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