Shaun McManus to present cup if Fremantle wins first flag
Fremantle great Shaun McManus will hand the premiership cup to Dockers captain Alex Pearce if Fremantle wins its first flag on Saturday.
The Dockers face Brisbane in the 2026 AFL grand final, the one match that decides the season's premier. Brisbane enter that game as the back-to-back reigning premiers. ABC News
Fremantle confirmed McManus as its 2026 Premiership Cup Presenter on Monday ahead of Saturday's decider. The presenter is the former great chosen by each grand finalist to hand over the trophy on the dais if their old side wins. If Fremantle wins, McManus will present to Pearce and coach Justin Longmuir. Fox Sports
McManus was there at the start. He was a member of Fremantle's inaugural 1995 squad and played 228 games across 14 seasons. He captained the club alongside Adrian Fletcher in 2000 and 2001, played alongside Longmuir, retired after the 2008 season and became a life member in 2004. He sits ninth on Fremantle's all-time games list.
Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick said McManus' influence at the club since its inception made him a terrific cup presenter. Fremantle FC
There is history in the role. Peter Bell was Fremantle's presenter for its 2013 grand final loss to Hawthorn, when no handover was needed. Jonathan Brown did the honours for Brisbane in its win over Geelong last year.
What makes this stand out is the thread. An inaugural Docker could be the man to give the club's first cup to its current captain. No extra words needed.
