Fremantle Dockers fans to marry outside MCG during AFL grand final

Dockers tragic Matt Abbott will celebrate his two great loves tomorrow — marrying his long-term partner outside the MCG's gates before watching his footy team compete for a premiership.

The Fremantle-loving pair on the cusp of being wed, Danni Bloomfield and Mr Abbott, have flown from Karratha to Melbourne to get married outside the MCG on Saturday morning before they head in to watch their beloved Dockers play in the 2026 grand final.

Dockers fans Danni Bloomfield and Matt Abbott have been together for 15 years. (Supplied)

Two friends have also flown in from Western Australia for the Dockers', and Danni and Matt's, big day.

The couple has been together for the past 15 years and had initially planned to throw a surprise wedding during Danni's 50th birthday party.

But they then heard one of their best friends was flying to Melbourne for the grand final.

"I may have had a few beers and sent a snapshot of flights to Danni," Matt said. 

"The next thing we were going to Melbourne."

Matt and Danni's wedding rings. (ABC News: Patrick Rocca)

The diehard Dockers fans then went a step further.

"We thought, 'let's just get married at the MCG'," Matt said.

"We've just been on this rollercoaster since then," Danni added.

Danni said she had to a lot of work to do to cancel all the arrangements that had been made for her birthday party wedding they had originally planned.

The couple have all the correct paperwork ready for their MCG wedding. (ABC News: Patrick Rocca)

Danni admits she was once a West Coast fan, but was converted by her soon-to-be husband.

Matt Abbott at his suit fitting for the MCG wedding. (Supplied: Anthony Salerno)

A church wedding isn't the only tradition the couple kicked to the kerb for their nuptials, which will be held outside Gate 3.

Danni had plans to ditch the white dress for something with a bit more of a Fremantle flavour.

"There was a slight issue with the purple dress being delayed," she said.

"I had assurances that it would be here but got a notification yesterday that's it's due for delivery Monday so there was some panic shopping yesterday.

Matt Abbott at his fitting for his wedding suit ahead of his wedding outside the MCG on AFL grand final day in September 2026. (Supplied: Angelo Salerno)

"Trying to find a purple dress in Melbourne was a little challenging so we've just gone a little bit more traditional now. But there will be purple, have no fear!"

Danni declined to preview the dress, but Matt was happy to show off the Freo flair he'll be sporting tomorrow.

And why did they choose Gate 3 specifically?

"Because it's the gate that we're going in to get our seats," Danni said.

"We're literally going to get married and walk straight in and go and watch them bring home the cup."

Matt Abbott with Fremantle players. (Supplied)

In 2014, Matt got a Dockers tattoo on his leg.

He's booked in on Tuesday to make some additions to it.

Matt Abbott is hoping to add the AFL premiership cup to his Fremantle tattoo. (Supplied)

"Hopefully it'll have a premiership cup and the year, mine and Danni's initials and an infinity rope added."

Matt became emotional when asked what it would mean to him if Fremantle wins tomorrow.

"[It will mean] everything, it would be so amazing to see them just for so many years of being the underdogs and for them to get through to the grand final and arguably play one of the best teams ... if they pull this off, it's just going to be a fairytale," he said as Danni also wiped tears from her eyes.

Luke Lalor has been friends with Danni for more than 30 years and will officiate the couple's wedding.

"The fact that we're doing it exactly where they want it ... I think it's fantastic," Luke said.

"It is a real wedding, I am a real celebrant and it will be formally legal."

Long-time friend Luke Lalor will be the celebrant at Matt and Danni's wedding. (ABC News: Patrick Rocca)

He said he had never done a wedding with 100,000 guests.

"The certificate's printed up with Matt and Danni's names and the fact that it's at the MCG," he said.

"We did all the official notification of intention to marry."

Matt and Danni say their families are fans of the Dockers-MCG wedding plans, even though Matt's father is a "full Eagle".

Danni Bloomfield says she and Matt are not known for "doing anything normal". (ABC News: Patrick Rocca)

The pair say the attention they have gained for their matrimonial plans was unbelievable.

"We sort of didn't think it was going to be a big deal," Danni said.

"If we can bring something joyful to people when there's so much sadness in the media and the news, so be it."