Tell us about your experience. <\/p>\n
Fremantle pioneer Shaun McManus will hand over the AFL premiership cup to captain Alex Pearce if the Dockers break through for their maiden flag.<\/p>\n
Part of the inaugural 1995 Dockers squad, McManus has been named as Fremantle’s cup presenter ahead of Saturday’s grand final against back-to-back reigning premiers Brisbane.<\/p>\n
The Lions are yet to name their presenter after three-time premiership player Jonathan Brown did so for last year’s decider win over Geelong.<\/p>\n
McManus was brought to tears when he was told he was the club’s cup presenter during a segment on Perth radio this morning.<\/p>\n
Peter Bell was named the club’s presenter for the eventual 2013 grand final loss to Hawthorn.<\/p>\n
Dockers chief Simon Garlick described McManus as a perfect embodiment of the club’s values.<\/p>\n
McManus began his AFL career as a 19-year-old, going on to play 228 games across 14 seasons.<\/p>\n
He captained the team alongside Adrian Fletcher from 2000 to 2001, and played alongside current coach Justin Longmuir.<\/p>\n
“Shaun perfectly sums up what a Fremantle person is,” Garlick said in a club statement.<\/p>\n
“He had a remarkable career as a Fremantle player, but beyond that he has been a champion of this club since our humble beginnings back in 1995.<\/p>\n
“Those early foundation years weren’t easy, and as a 19-year-old he came in, showed great qualities which resulted in him being named captain at just 24.<\/p>\n
“The courage he showed on field speaks for itself, but ever since retiring he’s been a passionate and positive influence, someone who purely lives and breathes Freo.<\/p>\n
“If we are good enough to get the job done on Saturday, it will be a great moment to see Shaun present the cup to Alex, and his old teammate Justin.”<\/p>\n
McManus is the ninth-highest game record holder in the club’s history and was the second behind Shane Parker to reach the 200-game milestone.<\/p>\n
Retiring after the 2008 season, McManus remained at the club as a player development coach and transitioned through various off-field roles.<\/p>\n
The 50-year-old became a Dockers life member in 2004.<\/p>\n
ABC Sport will have a live blog of the AFL grand final between Fremantle and Brisbane from the MCG on Saturday.<\/p>\n
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