One nervous Fremantle fan said they won’t be convinced the club is going to win its maiden premiership until Justin Longmuir and Alex Pearce are lifting the cup.

Another said the stress of a potential grand final appearance could put her in hospital.

Others say they feel like their life’s passion all leads up to the next month of football.

They are among the stories of love for the Dockers that spilled out when beloved comedian and Fremantle tragic Rove McManus hosted a therapy session for fellow fans.

It gave some of the club’s most diehard fans a chance to get the pressure off their minds as the Dockers prepare for a finals series as minor premiers and red-hot favourites.

While plenty of fans were booking flights to Melbourne even before the halfway mark of the year, the idea of daring to dream is hard for many to wrap their heads around.

“I’ve been a member for 26 years, and I’m absolutely in denial of where we’re at now. I’m absolutely stressed about the idea of success,” Julie said.

“But we’re hard-wired for resilience, and we just keep on going.”

It was a sentiment shared by her son Billy.

“You want to dare to dream; you want to know what it feels like but it’s letting go of the fear that’s the hard part; the fear is getting hurt last year; the heart was ripped out,” he said.

However, beneath the nerves is an understanding that this team has all the skills necessary to finally earn the club’s first silverware, having set the standard all season.

“I’ve had this strange feeling that I’ve never had before, and it’s that when a game is tough the sinking feeling isn’t instant and I have the feeling we can come back and do it,” Tom said.

“This is our year,” Mannie concurred

“I am excited, but I’m extremely nervous, but one thing I’ve liked is that we’re not a team of arrogant players; everyone is holding their own; they are a true team.”

For a team that has often been the underdog since its inception, Rove posited whether success would change the club and how it’s embraced by supporters.

But group member RJ insisted the club had already changed and that had been key to the success they have acheived this season.

“The thing about the Dockers is they’re underdogs; it’s a big part of our identity, and how do you go from Dockery to being the champion club?” she said.

“I honestly think the club has already changed with recruitment, coaching and strength and conditioning; you wouldn’t recognise it from 2013.”

However, nobody will truly believe it until it happens.

“I feel as if JLo and Moose are standing on the podium and they’re about to hoist to the cup I’ll be like, oooh, it’s not in the bag yet,” Tom said.