Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir wants Wharfie Time to continue next season despite the in-game activation backfiring spectacularly in the AFL grand final.
Wharfie Time was activated with just over four minutes remaining after Pat Voss put the Dockers ahead by 17 points.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Lions claim historic three-peat in dramatic grand final
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
At that point, it seemed like an early celebration, much like the activation in the final minute of the semi-final win over Geelong.
But instead of inspiring the Dockers to the finish line, it actually had the complete opposite effect as the Lions kicked the next four goals to seal one of the most improbable victories of all-time.
After the match, Brisbane players admitted they had discussed Wharfie Time in the lead-up and how they could use it to their advantage.
As soon as the bells sounded, Brisbane co-captain Josh Dunkley revved up his teammates in the middle of the ground and Will Ashcroft put on his cape to inspire the remarkable turnaround.
Whether Fremantle could even use it in the grand final was a contentious decision with the AFL only confirming they could on Thursday and only allowing it after a Dockers goal.
They had previously used it twice this season, during a stirring win over Hawthorn and against the Cats a fortnight ago.
But given the gimmick is now associated with one of the most heartbreaking moments in club history, many pundits and fans immediately said it should never be used again.
“That bloody Wharfie Time … I don’t think they can ever play it again,” premiership coach Adam Simpson said on SEN.
But Longmuir refused to blame it and wants it back again in 2027.
“Of course I would (want it to continue). I don’t think that has anything to do with it,” he said after the crushing defeat.
“Does Charlie (Cameron’s) ‘Country Roads’ celebration have any impact on the game? Probably not.
“I don’t think you can put it down to that, I think you can put it down to one of the better teams of all time (with their) backs against the wall, and we just didn’t have an answer to that.”
Meanwhile, Longmuir had a simple message for his players, moments after the final siren in their heartbreaking grand final defeat.
The 45-year-old brought the Dockers together in the middle of the MCG as joyous Brisbane Lions players celebrated around them.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself, don’t beat yourself up too much,” Longmuir said.
“We play an imperfect game that is full of mistakes … across the journey of their football careers, they would’ve made plenty of mistakes.
“It feels a little bit bigger right now because of what was on the line, but don’t be too hard on yourselves.
“If we had’ve won we would’ve won together, but we lost and we lose together, so have each other’s back.”
Longmuir said there was no sugar-coating Fremantle’s devastation after the seven-point defeat brought an end to their latest bid for a maiden premiership.
“I’ve never felt so disappointed but there’s a massive sense of pride in the group,” Longmuir said.
“We came to play, we executed the plan, created so many opportunities for ourselves and competed our backsides off all day.
“But just didn’t quite play out that 120 minutes.
“Clearly we’re playing one of the best teams of all-time … and they just found something and we didn’t have an answer for their run-on late.”
Longmuir said Fremantle’s “journey is not finished” as they chase a long-awaited premiership and sustained success.
“We want to make sure we emulate something like (what Brisbane have done) and keep contending and keep putting ourself up there, year in and year out,” Longmuir said.
“It’s something we haven’t done as a football club, but with the way we’ve built the list and the culture, that’s what we set out to do.
“There’s no guarantees and everyone starts at zero again next year, but I feel like we’ve got the capabilities in terms of character and talent.”
— With AAP
