Fremantle Dockers' Shaun McManus to Present AFL Premiership Cup
Fremantle Dockers great Shaun McManus has been named the club's cup presenter for the AFL grand final. Brisbane is yet to name their presenter, after three-time premiership player Jonathan Brown did so for last year's decider win over Geelong.
Fremantle Dockers life member Shaun McManus has been named as the club's cup presenter for the 2026 AFL grand final. McManus will hand over the AFL premiership cup to captain Alex Pearce if the Dockers break through for their maiden flag.
Part of the inaugural 1995 Dockers squad, McManus has been a long-standing figure at the club. He began his AFL career as a 19-year-old, going on to play 228 games across 14 seasons. He captained the team alongside Adrian Fletcher from 2000 to 2001, and played alongside current coach Justin Longmuir.
Dockers chief Simon Garlick described McManus as a perfect embodiment of the club's values.
"Shaun perfectly sums up what a Fremantle person is," Garlick said in a club statement. "He had a remarkable career as a Fremantle player, but beyond that he has been a champion of this club since our humble beginnings back in 1995."
Garlick continued to praise McManus, saying:
"Those early foundation years weren't easy, and as a 19-year-old he came in, showed great qualities which resulted in him being named captain at just 24. The courage he showed on field speaks for itself, but ever since retiring he's been a passionate and positive influence, someone who purely lives and breathes Freo. If we are good enough to get the job done on Saturday, it will be a great moment to see Shaun present the cup to Alex, and his old teammate Justin."
McManus is the ninth-highest game record holder in the club's history and was the second behind Shane Parker to reach the 200-game milestone. Retiring after the 2008 season, McManus remained at the club as a player development coach and transitioned through various off-field roles. The 50-year-old became a Dockers life member in 2004.
McManus was brought to tears when he was told he was the club's cup presenter during a segment on Perth radio this morning.
The Lions are yet to name their presenter after three-time premiership player Jonathan Brown did so for last year's decider win over Geelong.