Heartbreak for Freo faithful at Optus Stadium and along the Cappuccino Strip

In the space of just three minutes, the heart of Fremantle went from a place of sheer ecstasy to a site of complete utter mourning.

As the final siren sounded on Saturday night’s nail-biting clash between the Dockers and the Gold Coast Suns, hundreds of long-suffering Dockers fans spilled out onto the Cappuccino Strip, devastated another finals victory had been ripped from their grasp.

The Suns were six points down with less than 90 seconds remaining after giving up a 26-point lead during the third, but charged home to shatter Fremantle’s dreams.

When Mac Andrew levelled the scores with a set shot with just 1:12 remaining, the faithful roared.

But with just nine seconds to go, David Swallow’s set shot was touched on the line, giving the Suns the point it needed to win the elimination final — 11.14 (80) to 12.7 (79).

Swallow’s score was met with moans, groans and curses.

Heartbroken Dockers supporter, Rob, said he was frustrated by coach Justin Longmuir and blamed him for Saturday night’s defeat.

“As much as I think he’s a reasonable guy and the guys love him, we have wasted two years . . . and tonight is just another example of that,” he told The Sunday Times.

“You can’t get a better example of a wasted opportunity — you lose a home final against a team that’s never played a final before (in Perth).

“I’m really struggling to pinpoint anyone else to blame but the coach, I wish him all the best, but I hope come Monday morning, we sever ties.”

Rob also paid an emotional tribute to retiring Dockers legend, Nat Fyfe.

“I’m really emotional to say goodbye to a guy who will be in a lot of pain as the years go on,” he said.

“He’s given his body to this club, and it’s a shame that he only played 16 or 18 minutes tonight.

“But thank you Fyfe, we’ll be talking about you for decades mate.”

Longtime Dockers fan Abbey said she “wasn’t coping very well”.

“I’m feeling very sad, I’m feeling like it’s a waste of a season,” she said.

“It was close, and I really thought we had it, but it’s another year the same ... I’m just devastated.”

Freo fanatic Oscar said he was “disappointed” by Saturday night’s loss, but said he was proud of the team.

“I just can’t believe it, I thought we had it in the bag,” he said.

“There were just a few seconds to go, it’s just unbelievable ... but I’m proud of the boys, they’ve had a good season.”

Perth’s wild weather couldn’t deter the Purple Army from flooding to the port city in a sea of purple to support their team on home turf.

Beer gardens at The Federal Hotel and Bennys Bar spilled out onto the road, transforming Paddy Street Mall into a heaving mass of Dockers devotees.

Varsity Sports Bar, located in the heart of Fremantle, was heaving with more than 100 Freo fans — the venue decked out in purple and violet to pay tribute to their home team.

Speaking ahead of the game, Fremantle City mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said she was “super excited” but “completely beside myself with anxiety”.

“I think everyone in Freo has been on a rollercoaster of emotions all week,” she said.

“The Town has absolutely got behind it, I think you could spend your whole day in Freo eating and drinking Dockers-themed pies, burgers, cocktails and Docker-ccinos.

“We know how brave the boys have been all year, and we can see they have all been working super hard.”

Long-standing Dockers fan, Sandy, made the remarkable 3700km pilgrimage from Nowra, NSW, to be part of the festivities in the port city.

“I’ve been a fan of the Dockers since they started, because I lived here at the time,” she said.