Running defender Corey Wagner has expressed his deep sense of pride and gratitude to Fremantle for giving his AFL career a new lease on life.

Speaking post-game to ABC Sport following Fremantle’s thrilling win over North Melbourne at Optus Stadium, Wagner said Fremantle has turned his career around.

“They (Fremantle) were the only club to look at me when I was at Port Melbourne, and I owe them a lot,” Wagner said.

“I don’t want to let them down, and I feel like that’s how I play.

“They’ve given me a life opportunity – they’ve probably changed my life.

“They gave me the opportunity to start a family and move over here, so I owe everything to this football club.

“I get emotional thinking about it. They’ve done a lot for me, and hopefully I can return the favour.”

Now at his third AFL club and celebrating his 50th AFL game with a thrilling win, Wagner said playing alongside dual Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe is one of the highlights of his career.

“It’s not bad having a two-timer coming on.

“He’s done that both weeks now. I think he came on for the Gold Coast game and had eight or nine possessions too – just changed the game for us.

“It’s a nice look when he comes in there. He’s working hard off the field, and he’s looking as fit as he ever has.

“I’m very proud, and I’m so honoured just to play by his side.”

Wagner enjoyed the icing on the cake in his milestone game, classily banging home a goal from 50 metres on the run in wet and slippery conditions.

Wagner has shown his versatility and flexibility throughout the year, playing as a running defender at times before transitioning to the midfield to take on tagging roles against some of the competition’s best midfielders - something the 28-year-old credits to senior coach Justin Longmuir for instilling confidence in him.

“I’m just trying to build each game, and hopefully he’s (Longmuir) given me more trust to just put me wherever I’m needed,” Wagner said.

“I feel like I’ve got a really good relationship with JL – I know where I stand with him. He tells me what I need to do, what I need to work on, and I’ll go out and do it for him.

“I’m really loving working under him.”

Wagner’s 10 games so far in 2025 are shaping up to be a career-best season across multiple statistical categories.