As thousands of Perth locals prepare to cheer the Fremantle Dockers on to a (hopefully) maiden premiership, one Myaree butcher is showing off his team pride from his deli display.
Scarfo’s Meating Place on Leach Highway has officially relaunched its acclaimed Dockers-themed sausages.
The beef snags, which are a vibrant purple colour similar to the Freo club, have become a sudden smash hit as footy fans across the metropolitan area rush to stock up ahead of their Grand Final Day barbecues.
Freo fan and owner Tony Scarfo revealed to PerthNow that the business had started playing around with the coloured meat after a suggestion from a staff member many years ago.
“Years ago, one of our boys, Ian, came up with the idea while we were playing around in the back,” he revealed.
“I trialled it, did a bit of this and that, and they turned out great.”
The 35-year-old business first launched the purple sausages in 2013 ahead of the Docker’s first-ever grand final clash, and they were immediately a favourite among fans.
“When we made them 13 years ago, we sold 1.2 tonnes in an eight-day period,” he said.
They reappeared at the Myaree store in 2022 ahead of the elimination final — and now are back on offer once again.
“We started selling them again last week, and they weren’t that big, but this week it’s been absolutely nuts at the store,” he said.
“People are really excited about the Dockers possibly winning this weekend.”
Mr Scarfo said he was working tirelessly with seven other butchers at the Leach Highway storefront to prepare half a tonne of the Freo-themed sausages.
“It’s our award-winning BBQ beef sausages in their natural casings — we’ve won lots of awards for these snags,” he said.
As to how the sausages get their vibrant Dockers purple hue? Mr Scarfo revealed it was the magic of food colouring.
“All we do is add some natural food colouring into water and dip it in; it only turns the casing purple and doesn’t go through to the meat.
“Others have tried to recreate it, but we have got it mastered.”
He shared his gratitude for the hoard of Dockers diehards descending on his store, thanking them for putting the butchers back on the radar of Perth’s barbecue lovers.
“Our centre’s been shut for six years, so this is bringing people in, it’s filling up the car park and it’s really put us back on the map,” he said.
It’s not just their sausages that have earned an AFL makeover, however — with the store also decorating ahead of Saturday’s match.
“We have purple balloons all around, we’ve got the AC/DC playing with those iconic Wharfie Time bells,” he said.
“It’s all a bit of fun when there’s so much doom and gloom around.”
The store will be open all day Friday and Saturday, giving footy fans plenty of time to get their hands on the festive sausages before the big game starts at 12.30pm on September 26th.
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