New recruit Corey Wagner had his most promising performance so far in the purple as he showed dash and dare off half back against Sydney on Saturday night.
The former Kangaroo and Demon racked up a career-high 20 disposals as he looked to promote a more dangerous game style to create scoring opportunities on the rebound.
Last playing in the AFL in 2019 for Melbourne, Wagner had significant improvement in 2022 playing for Port Melbourne before being snapped up by Fremantle at no.57 in the 2022 National Draft.
In his first year at his new Club, Wagner said he has adopted an aggressive mindset that doesn’t focus on avoiding mistakes.
“I guess that's one of my strengths, to run and create,” Wagner told the Final Siren Podcast with Duck and Oz.
“Even if I do stuff it up, guys like ‘Sonny’ (Michael Walters) and ‘Sebba’ (Caleb Serong) have kept getting to me to just keep going for it.
“It's what I do, play your role first and then try and get to help the boys out.
“I felt like in the last couple of weeks, I've learned to find that balance of playing your role and when it's your time to go, that's when you go.”
Wagner said he felt the group took a step forward despite the loss to the Swans, with Fremantle playing more aggressively after a disappointing six goal to two opening term.
“Our intent all game was really good. I think that's the way we like to play,” Wagner said.
“I think the boys knew that we need to take it on with a nothing to learn lose mindset.
“We had opportunities to do it and get it done, the execution (cost us) a little bit at the end.”
The 26-year-old said he was loving his new life on the west coast, and is optimistic the coming seasons at Fremantle will be successful ones.
“I've just loved it. Me and my partner moved over and they've made us feel so welcome,” Wagner said.
“It's such a young group and they're so professional. It's a really good team and I know it's not clicking at the moment but it will.
“We're not satisfied with losing but that's the way we want to play.
“Get excited because we are a young group, we bring the intent. We’re going to be there in the next couple years and look out, I reckon.”
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