Victor Kailis with the Fremantle players. Photos: Supplied

From three churches across two continents to a sold-out flight to Melbourne, Fremantle supporters are daring to believe 2026 could finally be their year

After a three-decade premiership drought, long-suffering Fremantle Dockers supporters are daring to dream of AFL glory.

It’s been a long journey for the WA team since its inaugural season in 1995, with only one grand final berth in 2013 which it lost to Hawthorn.

The Dockers finally have the chance to win a maiden flag when they face the Brisbane Lions in the premiership decider at the MCG on Saturday.

The Lions will be hunting for their sixth flag and second three-peat premiership after lifting the cup in 2024 and 2025.

Neos Kosmos caught up with Victor Kailis, owner of the 400-seat Fish Market Café in Fremantle, just as he was about to board a flight to Melbourne for the big day.The Dockers tragic loves the team so much that he has sponsored them for decades and the team even train at a ground named after him, Victor George Kailis Oval.

The Kailis name is synonymous with fish and chips and Fremantle Harbour. The 80-year-old family patriarch’s father arrived in Perth over 100 years ago, and Victor has had a colourful career spanning the entertainment industry before finally settling into the family seafood business.

Kailis told Neos Kosmos he is a foundation member of the club and has supported the Dockers since 1994, when he helped raise money for his beloved team.

His faith in the team, it turns out, runs as deep as his history with it.

Victor George Kailis Oval, where the Dockers train.

“I prayed three times for the Dockers to win, in three different churches, St George Kastolorizo, Evangelismos in Athens, and Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helene in Perth,” he said.

And, according to Kailis, “it worked so far.”

“In my first prayer at St George in Kastolorizo, I prayed that we beat Geelong and we did, my second prayer in Evangelismo Athens, I prayed that we beat Sydney and we did, and my last prayer in Saints Constantine and Helene in Perth I prayed that we beat Brisbane and we will.”

So up until know, according to Kailis, God is a Dockers fan.

Three churches, two continents apart, three prayers answered so far and one more to go, as the Dockers chase their first premiership.

Persfefone Maietta and her sister Elisa Vasilas.

Persfefone (nee Papadopoulos) Maietta and her sister Elisa (nee Papadopoulos) Vasilas while not Dockers fans, will be Dockers fans this weekend.

“I’m and Eagles fan but I’m Dockers this weekend. I will always support WA,” Persefone said.

Elisa like sister, said: “I will support the Dockers this weekend. They have really come a long way.”

Over in Brisbane, Renae Dardanis and Kerry Konstantinou from Michael Innis Menswear have been dressing Lions players since the turn of the century.

Kerry Konstantinou and Renae Dardanis at the Brisbane Lions season launch.

The two sister’s entire family are diehard Lions supporters, and Konstantinou told Neos Kosmos they couldn’t be prouder.

“Winning back to back grand finals was so exciting. We have a tradition that we celebrate with our family and customers at the menswear all together. We knew the boys would come through with the win. I actually told them after winning the first one that they will win three in a row,” Konstantinou said.

“Celebrating at the menswear as we don’t want break tradition, we will be again watching it with family and our wonderful customers, cheering the boys on. I’m sure the Brisbane Lions song will be played throughout the day, but come 2.30 all eyes will be on the screen. I’m sure there will be lots of yelling screaming to cheer the boys on.

“The belief is always there. They are an amazing bunch of boys, and an amazing club to be associated with. We feel we are the lucky ones as a small business to be apart of the Brisbane Lions.”

Christa Efstathiou is a passionate Brisbane Lions supporter who has followed the club for years. For Christa, supporting the Lions has become much more than simply watching football — it’s become a tradition built around family, friends and the excitement of being part of the Brisbane community.

She has attended every Brisbane Lions Grand Final during her time supporting the club and will once again be there in person for this year’s Grand Final.

“There’s something really special about following the Lions, particularly when you’re from Brisbane. When the team is doing well, you can feel the excitement right across the city.”

Christa says Grand Final week has become one of the highlights of the year for her.

“I’ve been lucky enough to attend every Lions Grand Final, and I wouldn’t miss this one. No matter how many times you go, the excitement and nerves in the lead-up never really change.”

She plans to head to the Grand Final in Lions colours and make a full day of the occasion with fellow supporters.

“Grand Final day is about so much more than the game itself. It’s getting dressed in the colours, being surrounded by other supporters and enjoying the atmosphere. You remember those days for years afterwards.”

Back to Freo, President of the Greek Orthodox Community of WA Gabriel Kafetzis is also flying out to Melbourne to watch the game in person.

Like a lot of older Fremantle supporters, before they entered the competition in the mid ’90s, he supported the WAFL side South Fremantle and had to watch their players become greats elsewhere.

“A lot of our Fremantle boys have done very well both with West Coast and other clubs around Australia,” he told Neos Kosmos.

“When we finally did form a team, we thought, that’s going to happen one day for us (win a flag) because we’ve always bred great players locally… 30 plus years later, hopefully this is going to be our moment.”

He added that being a port city most of the fan base tend to be from strong immigrant backgrounds.

Kafetzis is coming over to Melbourne with his best mates and he laughed that the best thing about it is afterwards they can head to Oakleigh and have a good souva because they aren’t that great in Perth.

He added that no matter what happens, he and probably most Freo supporters will be proud of the boys.

Among the younger generation of Dockers supporters is 17-year-old Aris Christodoulakis, who was introduced to the club by a friend and became hooked after attending his first Fremantle game for his birthday.

He will be watching Saturday’s grand final at a friend’s house, where around 50 people are expected to gather for a watch party.

“I’m really looking forward to the whole day and being able to watch the Dockers play on the biggest day,” Aris told Neos Kosmos.

“Having all my mates there and around 50 people watching together will make it even more exciting. Hopefully we can get the win and have a massive celebration afterwards.”

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Greek Aussie Dockers fans pray for a first flag, as Lions supporters look for three-peat