Corey Wagner says Fremantle Dockers ‘going over to prove a point’ to Geelong in round one after 2025 belting

Same opponent. Same venue. Same season-opening fixture against Geelong. But this time, Fremantle are hellbent on not having their “throats stood on from the start” when they head to GMHBA Stadium next Saturday to open their 2026 campaign. Last year’s round-one clash remains firmly in the memory of Freo players, according to Corey Wagner, after suffering their worst-ever loss under Justin Longmuir and their all-time heftiest defeat in a season opener with the 78-point thumping. The repeat fixture for this year is the first big test in what looms as a defining year for the Dockers, and Wagner has pledged things will be different this time around. “We got it handed to us last year, so we’re going over to prove a point,” Wagner said on 6PR. “Just the way we got our throats stood on from the start... probably mentally and physically, we weren’t ready. “We have to change a few things and come in humming this round one.” Wagner played 17 games at the top level last season - his most in an AFL campaign since his career began at North Melbourne a decade ago - and was used in a variety of roles including run-with jobs on opposition stars. The 28-year-old said Fremantle’s list depth and overall strong health meant standards on the training track were sky-high as players push their selection case. “I’m s....ing myself every week, just trying to get a good game,” Wagner said about the competition for spots. “That’s why I just play my role. If that’s sacrifice, then that’s what I’ve got to do. “I’ve learnt the hard way over the past couple of years, in doing that and having to do the sacrificial roles, and getting angry sometimes. I’ve learnt to move past that and just play the role, play what needs to be done, and know the role at the start. “There’s competition for spots and that’s why our training standard has been so high. We hold each other to that standard, and if you’re not doing that, then you’re probably not going to play.” Wagner said the much-publicised off-season change in high-performance regime had been a mental challenge for players. “In the gym, we were on for the whole hour from start to finish, lifting PBs - I think I’ve lifted a 30kg PB - and squats. It’s just been on the whole week, so by the end of the weekend, you’re mentally fatigued, and then you’ve got to go again Monday,” he said. “It was pretty repetitive, and you were starting to get in a weird cycle. It was up there, mentally, with one of the hardest I’ve done.”