August 31, 2026 — 11:10amFinals. It’s where footy fantasies are made and broken.Stars of the game are formed, history created, legacies forged.It’s the time of year every team wants to be a part of and when all fans dare to dream.Alex Pearce will lead the Fremantle Dockers into the finals on Thursday.Getty ImagesTen teams are already planning for 2027, leaving eight sides in the race for premiership glory.Fremantle sits just three wins away from an elusive premiership, their first in the club’s 32-year existence.On Thursday night they’re presented with a golden opportunity to take a massive leap towards breaking the drought.But should they lose, the doubt, negativity and bad thoughts of more than three decades could again wash over them.It’s why the qualifying final won’t just dictate Fremantle’s fortunes, but shape the entire series.The Dockers should be confident.As minor premiers, they’ve been the benchmark for 24 rounds - proof that every part of their game stands up.Their playing list is in great health with only Brennan Cox unavailable from their first choice team.They’ve won all 12 games at Optus Stadium in 2026 - their last loss at the venue coming in last year’s elimination final against Gold Coast.This season they’ve averaged 51,923 supporters per game at home, setting new crowd records across the competition.However, defeating Hawthorn won’t be an easy equation.Sam Mitchell loves being the underdog and he’s tactically very good - and he would have spent the week off studying how to improve from the earlier loss to Fremantle this season.He’ll see the exposure to ‘Wharfie Time’ as a positive - from being overwhelmed, they’ve now trained for it, equipping themselves for the same moment if it arises.Mitchell is ruthless, when he wants something, he goes and gets it - one look at who they’ve acquired through recent trade periods shows you this.There’s no four points up for grabs this week, instead a much bigger carrot dangles - the perfect platform for a premiership charge.Victory and they have a break before again being at home on what many consider the “better side” of the draw.With Brisbane expected to take care of the depleted Swans, a home preliminary final against either Sydney, Adelaide or the Western Bulldogs is up for grabs.Lose, and they’re then on a path to a potential showdown against the Lions at the Gabba as they chase a three-peat.Last week, four-time premiership player Luke Hodge said the Dockers were “perfectly placed” to win their first flag, citing their calm heads, as a key reason why they can go all the way.The Hawks legend was speaking at the launch of the Premiership Cup Tour at Fremantle Boat Fishing Harbour.While the iconic location was its first “stop”, the Dockers also want it to be the final destination.Since day one of pre-season last year, Fremantle has been working towards creating a chance like the one Thursday presents.Destiny is in their own hands and they now need to deliver - turning promise into performance - and then a premiership.Paddy Sweeney is a Nine News Perth sports presenter and journalist.From our partners