As the Fremantle Dockers prepare to chase their maiden AFL premiership this Saturday, the club’s long-standing partnership with energy giant Woodside has been thrust into the spotlight, with high-profile figures taking symbolic action to distance themselves from the sponsor.
Labor frontbencher and assistant minister for climate change and energy, Josh Wilson, has become the latest public figure to join a growing movement of protest. A photograph recently emerged of the Fremantle MP wearing a Dockers guernsey with red tape conspicuously covering the Woodside Energy logo. The image, which circulated widely after being published by The Australian, was confirmed by Wilson to have been taken from a private family social media account.
When pressed on the gesture, Wilson remained diplomatic. “The photo in question is a family picture, and when I wear my Dockers gear, I just want to show my support for Freo,” he stated. He added that the week should remain focused on the club’s grand final aspirations, noting, “It’s great that Australia is a place where people have the freedom to express their view and values through a range of creative and peaceful campaigns.”
The act aligns Wilson with the grassroots “Get Off My Chest” campaign, which has been steadily gaining momentum since its launch in May. The movement calls on the Fremantle Football Club to terminate its relationship with Australia’s largest oil and gas producer, citing concerns over environmental impact and corporate responsibility.
The campaign has attracted significant cultural capital. Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker recently drew national attention when he taped over the Woodside logo on a Fremantle t-shirt ahead of a performance in Colorado. Other notable public supporters of the movement include acclaimed novelist Tim Winton and independent senator David Pocock.
The protest has manifested in physical spaces as well. Earlier this month, activist Clare Lagan utilized spray paint to mask the sponsor’s branding on a prominent mural of Dockers legends Michael Walters and Nat Fyfe located outside the Fremantle markets.
“Woodside has long been one of Australia’s most controversial companies and one of sport’s most controversial sponsors,” Lagan said. She argued that the campaign reflects a broader public consensus regarding the company’s environmental footprint and its contributions to state resources.
However, Woodside remains unmoved by the mounting criticism. A company spokesperson reiterated their commitment to the club on Tuesday, describing the 15-year partnership as one they are “proud” of. With the sponsorship contract set to run until the end of 2027, the company says it is “looking forward to continuing our work together.”
As the Dockers prepare to face the Brisbane Lions in what is arguably the biggest game in the club’s history, the team’s “sea of purple” will be watched not only for their performance on the field but for the ongoing tension between the club’s commercial allegiances and the evolving values of its supporter base.
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