Fremantle has continued its significant investment in young talent, adding two promising midfielders in Bailey Banfield (pick 5) and Stefan Giro (pick 21) via Monday’s 2017 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
They are the final additions to Fremantle’s squad for the 2017 off-season, joining new recruits Nathan Wilson and Brandon Matera alongside the eight players selected at the 2017 NAB AFL National Draft on Friday night.
General manager of list management Brad Lloyd said Fremantle would continue to build through the introduction of youth.
“We have added 22 new young players to the club during the past two off-seasons,” Lloyd said.
“That’s six via trade and 16 via the draft – three of them being top-10 picks.
“Just seeing all of these new faces at the club this morning, it’s a really exciting time for the footy club and its future.”
Banfield won the 2017 Claremont league best and fairest aged just 19, playing as a midfielder/half-forward and averaging 24 disposals per game.
Hailing from South Australia, Giro has been described an elite runner who averaged 26 disposals per game with Norwood reserves and also showed his ability to go forward and impact the scoreboard with three goals against Vic Country at the U18 National Championships.
Banfield and Giro join Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra, Mitch Crowden and Tom North as Freo’s midfield additions in this year’s National and Rookie drafts
Lloyd said Fremantle looked to strengthen its midfield in 2017, after targeting talls in the 2016 draft and trade period and bringing in the likes of Joel Hamling, Cam McCarthy, Shane Kersten Griffin Logue, Brennan Cox and Sean Darcy.
“We’ve really bolstered our midfield through this period,” Lloyd said.
“We went tall, particularly last year, and it was good to add some rucks in and a key forward in Hugh Dixon, but we’ve really bolstered our midfield in a quality and depth point of view through this period.”
Two of these midfielders topped the nation in the yo-yo test, an endurance test that measures a player’s running ability.
Brayshaw was the best of the crop at the national combine, reaching level 22.4, while Giro reached level 22.3 in the SA state combine.
Giro says his running ability is among his strengths as a midfielder.
“My endurance running is probably the separating point,” Giro said.
The 18-year-old is excited to head to Freo to learn from some of the best midfielders in the game.
“I don’t mind moving, so I can’t wait to get into it,” Giro said.
“I can’t wait to work with blokes like Lachie Neale. He plays a similar role to what I’ve played and I’ll definitely look at him and follow how he trains.”
Banfield was delighted to be able to stay in WA and join some former state teammates in the side.
He also stays close to family, including his father, Rob, who Banfield says bleeds purple.
“I get to stay around my family and friends, which is a dream come true,” Banfield said.
“I would have been happy to move anywhere but it’s an added bonus to stay in WA.
“My dad’s been a diehard Freo supporter since they came into the comp and I’ve got a couple of mates there that I’ve played state footy with in Griffin Logue and Luke Strnadica, so I’m pretty happy.”
