Fremantle ruck Mason Cox says Fremantle's bid for its first premiership is less about what it would mean for him and more about giving the club's long-suffering supporters a memory they can cherish forever.
The Dockers will face Brisbane in Saturday's Grand Final with the chance to deliver the first flag in the club's history, and Cox says the opportunity is one he feels privileged to be part of.
"It's not as much about what it means to me, it's probably more about the Fremantle community," Cox said on ESPN's Red Time podcast.
"I feel like they've kind of been trotted on over the years. There's a lot of people who have supported the club through thick and thin that have a lot of faith and hope in this team, and are really excited for the opportunity that's ahead.
"As players, you just wanna provide that hope, and hopefully provide that success for them, and give them a great memory."
Cox is one of just three Fremantle players with previous Grand Final experience, having played in Collingwood's 2018 loss to West Coast before helping the Magpies beat Brisbane in the 2023 decider. The 35-year-old said that experience has brought added responsibility to this week.
"You probably share a few more stories from your past experiences, try and keep everybody as calm as possible because there is a lot going on," Cox said.
"I've seen every single side of it. So being able to share that with the players I think is valuable."
Fremantle enters the decider having won just three of its 12 quarters across its three finals -- a loss to Hawthorn before wins over Geelong and Sydney. But Cox said the Dockers were more focused on the detail behind those numbers rather than the headlines.
"You look at that, and some of the stats and everything else, it's proof that this team could be very damaging for a very long time. We're still learning week on week, and we're still trying to get better week on week," he said.
"You look at some of the headlines of three out of 12 quarters and it's like, yeah, people will talk about that whatever, but for us we go into finer detail as to what can actually help us as a team be more successful."
Cox also expects Brisbane to bring an attacking threat, with the Lions having produced big scores in recent weeks -- 133 against Hawthorn following putting 144 on the board against the Crows in the semifinal -- and it's something he insists his side are planning for.
For Cox, though, the prospect of helping Fremantle end its premiership drought remains the biggest motivation of all.
"To be in a situation where the club's trying to win their first flag ever, it's pretty cool and it's very unique," he said.
"That's what sport's all about."