Dockers utility Corey Wagner has signed on with Fremantle until 2028 – the role player having a huge part in the side’s success in 2026.
His career in AFL football has been all but certain, beginning in 2015 when he was drafted by North Melbourne at Pick 43 and making his debut in 2016.
He played eight senior games from 2016-17 before he was delisted at the end of the 2017, forced back into the VFL system if he wanted a chance to continue a career of professional football.
Wagner did just that, winning the Best & Fairest with the Casey Demons in 2018 before Melbourne handed him a lifeline through the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period.
It was with the Demons he played 11 more AFL matches from 2019-20 before succumbing to a familiar fate – delisted once again at the end of 2020.
Fremantle have a recent history of taking a gamble with delisted players – Pat Voss and Mason Cox the most recent de-listees to join the side.
The Dockers rolled the dice on Wagner, picking him up as a mature age recruit in the 2022 National Draft with Pick 57, and he’s since gone on to reach his 50 game milestone in 2025.
Corey is in career best form with Fremantle right now, and his role in the side is a key factor in the Dockers’ success this season.
The utility has played 12 out of 14 games and is averaging 18.1 disposals with 76% efficiency, but his disposal work isn’t where he impacts the most.
He averages 11 pressure acts a game in 2026, peaking with 19 in round five against Collingwood in a wet weather nail-biter.
With 2.8 intercepts per game, he gives the Dockers a defensive outlet to rebound from – already at 34 for the season, he is on track to achieve a season high after he notched up 42 across 17 games last year.
Corey is a player made for big moments, averaging an elite 2.9 rebound 50s with six against the Crows in round four and six against the Bulldogs in round eight – both crucial games won by a small margin.
His persistence is a testament to his dedication to AFL football, and he joined Sports Breakfast this morning.
“It’s come at a really nice time, bubba’s about three weeks away, so it’s nice to know that we’re settled and we’re here for another couple of years. We didn’t really want to leave anytime soon, so it’s just worked out perfectly,” he said.
“Freo was the only one to sort of persist with me and actually give me a crack… I sort of changed my perspective on football and the way I go about it, where all I need to do is play my role and try to make people around me better.
“Now I want to return the favour and do everything I can to get them that glory and hopefully I can be a part of that.”
With a side almost completely injury free, competition for spots is at an all time high for the Dockers at the moment.
Wagner was one of three big names that were dropped last week for the side’s clash with Geelong, with Oscar McDonald and Jaeger O’Meara also watching the game from the sidelines.
“I only gave myself the afternoon to sort of be angry about it.”
“I wouldn’t say I was in great form, but I also say I wasn’t in bad form, and that’s what sort of the coach commented on, that it was one of the toughest matches he’s had to do.
“When my form’s up and going, I feel like I am part of the best 23. so it’s just finding that which I don’t think I’m far off at all… Timing will work itself out, and low and behold I’ll come back in when the time is right.”
The Dockers now prepare to face Gold Coast on Sunday – the last time the two sides faced the Suns won their first finals match in club history at Optus Stadium.
Fremantle will be looking for redemption, hoping to string together their fourteenth straight win of the year.