Fremantle Chief Executive Officer Simon Garlick addressed Fremantle members, players, stakeholders and esteemed guests at the Club’s official Season Launch Function at Crown Perth, stating that the 2026 season is about turning small improvements into big gains.

Speaking on stage on Thursday morning, Garlick said that over the past five seasons the Club had done the heavy lifting to ensure the foundations were in place for the future.

“The biggest outcomes are built from the smallest commitments, repeated every day,” Garlick said.

“That’s what ‘the aggregation of marginal gains’ really means. It’s not about lowering our ambition. It’s about lifting standards, across the board.

“You can’t have a focus on the small gains when you have a bunch of big rocks to move.

“That’s why this is the approach for us now, the foundational work has been done.

“When you stack one per cent improvements day after day, week after week, month after month, over the course of a season something powerful happens.

“We want to be playing our best football at the pointy end of the year. We want to contend, and we want to win. We want sustained success.”

Speaking after Garlick, captain Alex Pearce said he believed the addition of speedster Jordan Clark to the leadership group would prove fruitful in 2026.

Clark earned his inaugural All Australian blazer in 2025 after a breakout season off of halfback.

“He's just come in and put his stamp on things and really been who he is,” Pearce said.

“Over the past 12 months, we've all seen how he's grown as a footballer, and part of that is to take on more responsibilities and really lean into being a leader.

“It was clear that Jordy really wanted to be a part of this (leadership) group, and because he's got a real competitive edge, I think he just wants to do as much as he can to help us succeed.”

Concluding the event, Corey Wagner took the stage alongside Murphy Reid and Bailey Banfield, emphasising his connection to the jumper and the significance it holds for him every time he pulls it on for a new season.

“I probably didn't enjoy my time as much at Melbourne and the Kanags like I have here,” Wagner said.

“The Club took a chance on me, and ever since coming here, I’ve felt valued and welcomed, and not just me and but my family also.

“I see this club as my family. I've got lifelong friends form the players, staff and coaches.

A special tribute to the late, great Dennis Cometti by event host Ryan Daniels led the room to a standing ovation following the sad news of Cometti’s passing yesterday.

As the Season Launch drew to a close, Fremantle players and staff made their way to the Optus Stadium amphitheatre to take part in the club’s official Smoking Ceremony to mark the start of the season.