Fremantle defender Corey Wagner says he is loving this time at the Dockers after a rough start to his career, ahead of his 50th game this weekend. 

But his journey to 50 games was anything but smooth, having been delisted by Melbourne and North Melbourne and spending time in the VFL aiming to reignite his AFL career. 

Wagner, who was delisted after his second season at Melbourne in 2020, went back to Port Melbourne until the Dockers came knocking three years later. 

Since then, Wagner has established himself as a key part of Fremantle’s defensive unit and has been assigned further tagging duties during this season. 

Reflecting on his journey, Wagner says he always had fire in his belly, despite the setbacks. 

“I just want to play at the highest level I can, and went back to Port Melbourne and thought the dream was over,” he told SportFM. 

“VFL was the highest level I was playing, and I just wanted to play every week the best I could. 

“A little move to half-back and an interview with Freo that went well, and now we’re here. It was  a bit of a special and unique career, but I’m loving every day.” 

He will bring up the half-ton against his former side on Saturday night at Optus Stadium, but it won’t be a Fremantle home game due to North Melbourne’s agreement to have two WA-based home games. 

North Melbourne comes into the game with momentum, after a scrappy 10-point win in Bunbury saw them take the four points against an inaccurate West Coast side.  

When asked to provide insight into his former side, Wagner says this win should boost their confidence, but he is confident the Dockers can hold them off. 

“No matter who they’re playing, they’re always going to rock up and try and win,” he said. 

“It’s always just going to be a scrappy, high-pressure game. We’re expecting them to come out and do those things, and hope that we can hold them off and do a four-quarter effort. 

“It’s always going to be a four-quarter game with them. So do our controllables, pressure hard, win the footy, and then do it for four quarters and hopefully get the choccies.”

Wagner also says their recent form has instilled more belief in the side, describing the 61-point loss to St Kilda as a turning point.

“It was a line in the sand moment where we had some behaviours and things that weren’t acceptable,” he said.

“The way we’re playing it’s very controllable, so the things we’re doing that shouldn’t matter, where or the opposition we’re playing, it’s coming out and the belief’s growing. 

“I think we’ve got to keep doing those little things and keep winning games and see what happens.”

IMAGE: AFL Photos