Rookie draftee Bailey Banfield is already turning heads at Fremantle after just three career AFL games, with another impressive performance against Gold Coast at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
Banfield played a run-with role on emerging Gold Coast star Aaron Hall, limiting the midfielder to five disposals for the day in Freo’s 28-point win.
Conversely, Banfield collected 11 disposals while laying four tackles and earning two free kicks without giving any away.
Midfielder Ed Langdon was glowing when assessing Banfield’s impact at the club since his arrival in the 2017 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
“It was an unbelievable effort from Bailey, for a third game player, it’s incredible,” Langdon said.
“There’s probably not a harder role in AFL footy than tagging, the team just targets you the whole game.
“The way he goes about it, it’s incredible for such a young guy, it doesn’t go unnoticed that’s for sure.
"He’s earning a huge amount of respect from all the boys.”
Ruckman Aaron Sandilands echoed Langdon’s comments, saying Banfield has the determination to do anything at AFL level.
“He’s desperate to be a great player and the way he goes about it shows that,” Sandilands said.
"He had a job on Hall today and I think I Hall didn’t touch it too much in the first half.
“He’s just good at playing whatever role he has.”
