Fremantle defender Corey Wagner says the team’s growing ability to adapt to different roles and game scenarios is a major asset in season 2025.

With injuries and match-ups demanding constant flexibility, Wagner believes the maturity of the group is allowing Fremantle to take changes in stride, highlighting his own game, alongside Round 11’s substitute Bailey Banfield.

Banfield was subbed on early in the first quarter after Cooper Simpson suffered a high-grade injury to his AC joint. Banfield, known primarily for his role as a forward, immediately slotted into the backline group for his 17 disposals and eight marks in the win.

“Banners came straight on and did a job,” Wagner said.

“We’ve got plenty of versatility now that we can throw around. I know I started my career there (in the backline) and can go there.”

“We are a mature group, and we can handle that (potential position changes).”

Wagner, who has recently embraced a tagging role against some of the AFL’s elite midfielders, says that while players focus on mastering their primary positions and roles, there’s always a strong emphasis on being ready to take on a secondary role when the team needs it.

“You have to master your role first, and then we always have the second role where you may have to play,” he said.

“I’m loving getting to match up with the best in the competition – who wouldn’t want to do that? I’m learning more with the challenges too.”

“I got to play on (Nick) Daicos who’s an absolute star, (Zac) Butters is probably one of the best I’ve played on so far.”

“Banners (Banfield) is very good at that, he’s very smart and he can play pretty much anywhere on the field.”

“He’s too smart for his own good (boasting an ATAR score of 98.75 from his schooling days).

“He’s always got the answers, he’s so diligent with his role and he does all the extras.”

The teams’ attention to preparation and game awareness - through film study and tactical work - has become a foundation for that adaptability.

“We do a lot of vision, and everyone should know that when they aren’t in the right spot they have to play a different role,” Wagner said.

“If that’s someone else going to a wing, or a mid-going forward, we all work in tangent and we do what we have to do.”

Wagner’s own transformation into a lockdown midfielder has been a test he’s embraced, going head-to-head with some of the league’s most dynamic players.

“It’s more those smaller, quick, in and out types of guys – the Daicos’ and Butters like at the weekend,” Wagner said.

“It’s really enjoyable."