{
  "id": 10097921,
  "title": "What is Wharfie Time and how did it backfire for heartbroken Dockers?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/what-is-wharfie-time-and-how-did-it-backfire-for-heartbroken-dockers-10097921",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-27T00:16:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News",
    "slug": "abc-news",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-27/afl-grand-final-2026-what-is-wharfie-time/107200612"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Saturday, Fremantle fans erupted with excitement as the final moments of the AFL grand final approached. Wharfie Time, a viral celebration unique to the Dockers, was set to be unleashed. The phrase, coined by former team captain Matthew Pavlich in 2009, referenced the club's mascot, the Dockers, as well as a Superman cape reference that had since become a staple of the team's pre-match rituals. For the first time, the Dockers would utilize Wharfie Time during a match at the MCG, after the Lions and Cats had been granted permission to do so in the 2025 grand final. As Patrick Voss kicked the game-winning goal with four minutes and 18 seconds remaining, the lights dimmed and the iconic bells from ACDC's Hells Bells rang out, eliciting a frenzy from the Fremantle faithful. However, the moment soon turned into a heartbreak for the Dockers, who watched as the Lions racked up four goals in the final four minutes, leaving the iconic bells to become forever associated with a crushing defeat.",
  "summary": "It was meant to be a celebration of Fremantle's moment in the grand final sun, but their viral Wharfie Time backfired spectacularly on Saturday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "What is Wharfie Time and how did it backfire for heartbroken Dockers?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/what-is-wharfie-time-and-how-did-it-backfire-for-heartbroken-dockers",
        "published": "2026-09-27T00:16:36.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}