Fremantle fans to marry near the MCG in Melbourne before the AFL final — ABC News Australia

In Melbourne, Australia, Fremantle Dockers fans Danni Bloomfield and Matt Abbott will marry near the Melbourne Cricket Ground stadium on Saturday before heading to the 2026 Australian Football League grand final featuring their team. The couple flew to Melbourne from Karratha in Western Australia, ABC News Australia reports.

Ceremony near Gate 3

Bloomfield and Abbott have been together for 15 years. They initially planned to secretly marry during Danni's 50th birthday celebrations, but later decided to travel to Melbourne for the grand final. After that, the couple decided to hold their wedding near the MCG.

The ceremony is to take place near Gate 3, the entrance through which the newlyweds plan to enter the stadium. Their longtime friend Luke Lalor, who has known Danni for more than 30 years, will conduct the ceremony. According to him, the marriage will be legally valid: an official notice of intention to marry has already been filed and a certificate prepared for this purpose.

Two friends of the couple also flew in from Western Australia for the wedding. The Bloomfield and Abbott families supported the unusual format of the ceremony, although Matt's father supports the West Coast Eagles, Fremantle's rivals.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

Purple accents and a tattoo

Danni Bloomfield was previously a West Coast supporter, but later became a Fremantle fan. She wanted to wear a purple dress to the wedding, in the Dockers' club colour, but its delivery was delayed. In Melbourne, she chose a more traditional outfit while promising to retain purple accents.

Matt Abbott has a Fremantle-themed tattoo on his leg, which he got in 2014. He has an appointment with a tattoo artist on Tuesday to add the AFL trophy, the year, his and Danni's initials, and an infinity symbol if the Dockers win the final.

The couple plans to enter the stadium immediately after the ceremony and support Fremantle in the match for the championship title.