On 21 September 2013, Fremantle defeated the Sydney Swans by 25 points in the second Preliminary Final to book their first ever Grand Final appearance.

As Fremantle established a comfortable lead in the second term, the game turned into a night of celebration for the 43,279 fans in attendance – while the Freo players put on a spectacle.

Highlights ranged from Nat Fyfe’s flying intercept mark in defence, Paul Duffield’s goal on the run from outside 50, and Michael Walters’ screamer in front of goal. 

Watching from the sidelines, ruckman and long-time Fremantle fan Jon Griffin couldn’t help but get caught up in the moment.

“I was sitting in the crowd and actually started to get a little bit emotional,” Griffin said.

“Being a part of the football club and barracking for Fremantle for so long, it was just an amazing feeling that we had made history and that we were entering our first Grand Final. 

Lachie Neale had the unenviable role of substitute for the game, and had to wait on the bench until the third term to get among the action. 

The then 20-year-old didn’t waste his chance - gathering a loose ball near the boundary line, selling the dummy and dodging two Swans defenders to slot a spectacular goal from 45 metres.

“It was a packed house and the crowd was roaring,” recalled Neale.

“I came on as a sub about halfway through the third quarter and was lucky enough to kick a goal to basically put us out of reach from Sydney.

“It was a great memory and something I’ll never forget.”

As the reality of a Grand Final berth sunk in, the crowd turned their nervous excitement into a party atmosphere.

Lee Spurr has played over 100 games in the AFL, and says he’s never experienced anything close to that moment.

“There was about five minutes to go, and the crowd started chanting ‘M-C-G’, because we knew we were going to go through to the Grand Final,” Spurr said.

“I’ve never really noticed the crowd before when I’ve been playing, but that was deafening.”