By Rachel Watts, Fremantle-Cockburn Gazette
AS the Keep Freo in Freo campaign gained momentum last week, the Gazette was contacted by fans who supported a move to Cockburn by the Fremantle Dockers.
Fremantle Dockers CEO Steve Rosich has confirmed the club is considering an offer to move to new facilities in Cockburn, but he stressed that no decision had been made.
Last week the Gazette reported on the campaign to keep the club local, led by former Fremantle Mayor Peter Tagliaferri. However fans fought back, saying any move that gave the club the best training facilities was a good one.
Fan RJ Walsh said she believed the club was considering its options and she trusted the club to make the right decision.
“I’d be thrilled to see it moved from Fremantle, I don’t like the facilities there and it’s not easy to get to,” she said.
“But at the end of the day if the club decides to stay there I certainly won’t change my allegiances.
“We have to get away from the sentimentality; the reality of the big business of AFL is those things don’t cut it.
“If we’re winning on the field the fans will be there.”
Joseph Giangiulio told reporter Jessica Nico on Facebook the club could be based on Mars for all he cared.
“We will always be the Fremantle Football Club to our fans and members,” he said.
“People need look forward in life and see what a great opportunity Fremantle Dockers have here, to have one of the best training bases in the league if they chose to go to Cockburn.”
Meanwhile at Fremantle fan website Dockerland a contributor called ForeverFreo said there were opportunities with both options.
“Previously I posted that I saw an opportunity for Freo to utilise facilities in Cockburn considering the space available there. I also wrote that due to the younger demographic in that area, many kids could feel some involvement in the club,” they said.
“After further consideration I see, (is) that Freo should absolutely utilise all their resources in developing what is on offer in Freo and not look elsewhere.”