Fremantle midfielder Will Brodie has shared how he became a Dockers supporter from Shepparton, Victoria, having idolised former Docker and ex-Gold Coast teammate Michael Barlow.
Brodie featured on the Old Bull, Young Buck podcast this week, hosted by teammates David Mundy and Griffin Logue, and went into detail on what drew him to Fremantle as a Victorian.
"It was Mick. I don't know how old I was, I was really young when he started but I jumped on the bandwagon,” Brodie said.
"I liked being a bit different and being a Freo supporter in Shep, everyone's asking 'why you going for them, why are you wearing purple?'.
"It was just something different and he (Barlow) was good to watch."
The 23-year-old was drafted at pick nine in the 2016 National Draft by the Gold Coast Suns and is now playing on the same team as his childhood hero after being traded to the Western Australian club last year.
Barlow, who played 126 games for Freo, joined the Suns after being delisted at the end of 2016.
After joining the Suns, Brodie says he felt awkward, especially since he had a poster and framed jumper of the midfielder on his wall back home.
"I had his jersey and he signed it when I was playing the under 12s, when we were in Perth," Brodie said.
"Because he's from Shep, someone got in contact asking him to sign my jersey and I got it framed.
"When I was drafted I moved out of home, so the first time I got back to Shep I was like 'gee I better take this down, it's a bit weird sleeping with this bloke on my wall.'"
The 23-year-old is enjoying a career-best campaign in his first season in Purple, averaging 27.31 disposals, 6.38 clearances and 13 contested possessions a game.
The big-bodied onballer has quickly become a key member of the Dockers' midfield ensemble, aiding the club's strong opening half of 2022.
After winning just three matches in five years at the Suns, Brodie could chalk up his 11th win for Fremantle this weekend when they face Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Saturday at 1:45pm (AEST).