Port Melbourne VFL coach Adam Skrobalak believes his former player Corey Wagner has what it takes to play early senior footy at Fremantle as he looks to make the most of his third AFL lifeline.

Skrobalak, who spent seven years as an assistant coach at St Kilda, felt the 25-year-old’s move from the midfield to half-back helped catch the eye of several clubs including the Dockers.

He likened Wagner’s traits to St Kilda All-Australian Jack Sinclair, who he coached for several years and has become one of the elite rebounding defenders of the competition.

“We had some conversations in the second half of the year with Freo and a couple of other clubs,” Skrobalak told The West Australian.

“We moved him to half-back because we had some midfield depth and also needed some more run off half-back and he’s got this great ability to be able change direction and change the direction of the game by his feet.

“The level of that is super high, it’s very similar to Jack Sinclair at St Kilda, just the way he can change angles with both feet and carry the ball.

“Once he did that and got a couple of games under his belt there, interest started to come in.”

It comes after Dockers coach Justin Longmuir’s huge praise for Wagner, pick 57 in the national draft who is at his third AFL club after stints with North Melbourne (eight games) and Melbourne (11).

“Wagner has played AFL footy and he’s been able to really add to his game at Port Melbourne last season,” Longmuir told SEN last week.

“He played a little bit of half-back and wing and inside mid, which he probably didn’t get the opportunity to do at AFL level, so he’s one that has fitted into training really well and... could get opportunities early in the pre-season based on where he’s at right now.”

Wagner showcased his elite endurance not long after arriving at Cockburn, finishing runner-up in multiple time trials and pushing Andrew Brayshaw right to the end in one.

Skrobalak said while half-back would be Wagner’s best position, he had all the attributes to slot into a wing role vacated by trade exit Blake Acres.

“I would think half-back is his best spot, but depending on who Justin’s got to choose from he could definitely play on a wing, he’s got all the attributes to play up and down on a wing and understands team offence and defence really well,” he said.

“That’s more up to Justin and his coaching staff but I think he can adapt to either position.

“I think he’s ready to play straight away and it looks like he’s been training strongly and giving himself the best opportunity.”

Skrobalak saw an improvement in Wagner’s confidence, self-belief and mindset throughout the season, and noted he had his life settled off the field as well.