Fremantle Dockers fan has deep passion for purple

There are quite a few blue-and-gold flag wavers where Richard Malacari works.

According to the 56-year-old, they’re not the most humble people.

“There’s some insufferable Eagles supporters in this office,” Malacari said.

“The last few months here have been absolute hell.”

Mr Malacari is head of the Mid West Sportshouse in Marine Terrace and a die-hard Fremantle Dockers fan.

With roots in Fremantle and a passion for the East Freo WAFL side, he joined the purple crowd as soon as the team was founded in 1994.

He’s since endured 23 seasons with only a whiff of the premiership cup, but he’s not budging from the Dockers, saying if they could make the grand final in 2013, they can do it again.

“Well, they can’t get much worse,” Mr Malacari joked.

“They have got to be better this year.

“You just have to dream, one day, you know.

“I can’t die until it happens.”

Mr Malacari wasn’t in Geraldton when the Dockers visited this week because of work commitments in the Murchison.

If he could ask WA’s purple side one question, though, he knows exactly what it would be.

“I’d ask if they were going to line up Lachie Neale when they play Brisbane,” Malacari chuckled.

On Tuesday, the Fremantle Dockers hosted a free clinic at GBSC Sports Park for pre-primary to Year 6 students, a coaches’ workshop and a free evening event for the public.

There was a business breakfast at Skeetas on Wednesday, which raised funds for the Great Northern Football League.