File photo: the Sydney Cricket Ground and its Victor Trumper Stand, photographed on 12 March 2023. Photo: Jason L / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized for display.

Fremantle members hoping to follow the Dockers to the AFL Grand Final have an important deadline before Friday’s match: registration for the club’s ticket ballot opens on Wednesday 16 September and closes that afternoon.

The club has confirmed an 8am–5pm AWST registration window for all priority groups. Eligible members need to register even if they hold a Grand Final Upgrade.

The ballot is for the opportunity to buy Grand Final tickets if Fremantle qualifies. The Dockers must first beat Sydney at the SCG on Friday 18 September to reach the decider.

What members need to do

Fremantle says members are being emailed their priority group and unique Grand Final ballot barcodes on Tuesday 15 September. The barcodes are also available through MyFreo. Registrations are randomised within each priority group, so registering earlier within the designated window does not improve a member’s position.

Under the club’s Grand Final ballot registration guide, applications go through Ticketek. Members should have their account, barcodes and payment details ready. The current membership hub specifies a $5 non-refundable fee per member barcode, with companion-card barcodes exempt. It also says membership payments must be up to date.

If Fremantle qualifies, successful standard registrations are charged automatically to the card used to enter. The current hub lists Saturday 19 September for payment, so sufficient funds must be available. Accessible and companion-card bookings receive separate payment instructions.

People who want to attend together must register in one transaction, using one credit card, with a maximum of eight barcodes. Groups mixing membership priorities must enter at the lower priority level, which can reduce the prospects of securing tickets.

The guide also sets out the choice between accepting standing room and accepting reserved seats only. Declining standing room can mean missing out if seats have already been allocated.

Priority 1 members have a guaranteed opportunity to buy a ticket if Fremantle qualifies, subject to correct registration and ticket-selection conditions. Joining a lower-priority group forfeits that priority; Priority 2 and 3 allocations depend on availability.

Accessible bookings require special barcodes. The club’s published deadline to request them was noon AWST on Monday 14 September. Anyone still needing an accessible-registration barcode should contact Membership Services for advice.

Friday’s match is already sold out

The Sydney Swans’ finals hub confirms the SCG preliminary final is sold out. PerthNow reported on Monday that tickets were exhausted within hours of going on sale.

Ball-up is at 7.40pm AEST on Friday — 5.40pm in Perth. The Swans list national live coverage on the Seven Network and Foxtel, with streaming through 7plus, Kayo and Binge.

Fremantle reached its first preliminary final since 2015 by beating Geelong last Friday. A win in Sydney would put the Dockers into the Grand Final at the MCG on Saturday 26 September.

For members, Wednesday’s registration closes before that result is known. Waiting until after the preliminary final would mean missing the published ballot window.