Would you travel over 50 hours for your team? This Dockers fan is
A Dockers victory would mean the world to this Perth student, who is making the journey from his university in the US state of Illinois to the MCG to watch the grand final.
Rafe English, a university student from Illinois, is on an extraordinary 50+ hour journey to witness his beloved Fremantle Dockers compete in the grand final. The 27-year-old is flying from his university in Normal, Illinois, to Melbourne, a trip that spans across two continents and multiple modes of transportation.
English, who has been following his team's progress closely since they reached the top of the ladder, told the ABC that he would go to any lengths to see his team play in the grand final. Early mornings and long layovers are nothing new for him, but the love for the club drives him to endure such exhaustion.
His journey began with a two-hour train ride from central Illinois to Chicago, where he spent the night. From there, he took a bus and a train for an hour to the airport, then boarded a 17.5 hour flight to Dallas. After a seven-hour layover, he took a final 17.5 hour flight to Melbourne.
English's attachment to the Dockers runs deep, extending beyond the game itself. He fondly recalls his father taking him to games as a child, creating cherished memories. When the Dockers lost the 2013 grand final by just 15 points, English was devastated, unable to speak for days.
Despite the emotional roller coaster during his trip, English remains optimistic about his team's chances this year. He expressed his hope to see Fremantle lift the cup during the grand final, a long-awaited moment of devotion for him.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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