1 April 1995 was a day of firsts for Fremantle.

The club played their first AFL game, an eventual thriller against the Richmond Tigers at the MCG.

Here's how Fremantle lined up on the day.

Ten players made their debut in Winston Abraham, Peter Bell, Craig Burrows, Matthew Burton, Scott Chisholm, Gary Dhurrkay, Scott Edwards, Quenton Leach, Jamie Merillo and David Muir.

That meant leaning on only 12 players with AFL experience, none of whom had played more than 100 games.

Inaugural captain Ben Allan was the most experienced, playing his 99th game after starting his career at Hawthorn.

Fremantle kicked three of the first four goals, with Todd Ridley leading the way with the club's first major. He kicked three goals that day and his boots would later be gold plated and displayed in a restaurant on the Fremantle cafe strip.

A number of Freo players would kick thier first career goals on this day, including future captain, and current general manager of football, Peter Bell.

Debutant Winston Abraham and Dale Kickett - playing for his fifth AFL club - combined to set Bell up for his second.

Kickett later flew the flag and ended up with a free kick.

At quarter time, it was Freo up by four, 4.4 (28) to Richmond's 3.6 (24).

Jamie Merillo needed some attention from Dr Ken Withers on the bench. He is still Fremantle's club doctor and has worked all but five games in Fremantle history!





Ridley got Freo going in the second term with his third goal, a snap from the outside of the boot on the run!

This strong mark saw Chris Groom kick the first of his three goals of the day.

Early in the fourth quarter, Freo found themselves 30 points down. Trailing Richmond 11.15 (81) to 7.9 (51).

Enter Scott Edwards...

And another big mark and goal from Groom.

A quick quiz! How many current and future Fremantle captains took part in this game?

If you answered three, (Ben Allan, Peter Mann and Peter Bell) you would be wrong.

Chris Bond also played on this day, but for Richmond. Side note: Future Freo Docker Ashley Prescott also took part in the game for the Tigers.

Here's a great passage of play where Bond gets the best of Allan, but Freo end up with the footy anyway after Ridley takes a hit.

And Allan responded brilliantly with this...

This Freo fan loved it...even the Eagles fan next to him! How times have changed ;)

And then excitement machine Winston Abraham brought Freo within a kick with less than three minutes to play.

Unfortunately, the Tigers held on the for the five-point win.

Ben Allan earned Freo's first Brownlow vote with 28 disposals, four tackles and a goal.

Ridley and Groom led Freo with three goals each while Matthew Burton did well in the ruck with 21 disposals and 13 hitouts.