Bailey Banfield has signed a two-year contract which will see the midfielder at Fremantle until at least the end of the 2020 season.
The deal will also see the 20-year-old elevated from the rookie list to the senior list after the 2018 season.
Banfield was selected with pick no.5 in the 2018 NAB AFL Rookie Draft and had a rapid rise into Fremantle’s starting 22.
He played in both JLT Community Series games and has played 19 of Fremantle’s 20 games so far this season – averaging 15 disposals and four tackles per appearance.
“I definitely feel I’ve exceeded my own expectations,” Banfield said.
“Coming in, I thought I’d start in the Peel side and I was hopeful to get an AFL game on the back of some good WAFL footy.
“I was lucky enough to start in from the JLT and I’ve managed to carry my momentum through for most of the year.”
Banfield said he treats every day at Fremantle as a learning experience.
“I have chats with the likes of Nat Fyfe, David Mundy and Lachie Neale all the time at training,” Banfield said.
“Whenever they’re talking in team meetings at training you’re listening really closely as they’ve been in the system for years and they know what’s required to succeed at the highest level.
Played regularly as a tagger this season, Banfield feels he’s emerged as a better player after going up against some of the stars of the AFL.
“It’s been awesome playing through the midfield and lining up in the centre square bounces with some of the biggest names in footy,” Banfield said.
“It’s been one of the highlights of my year.
“You’re just playing on the best player and you’re seeing what they do, their work rate and just the little tips and tricks about how they get the ball and how they defend and filing that away for future use.”
Banfield, who lives in a sharehouse with fellow first-year players Stefan Giro, Sam Switkowski and Lloyd Meek, said he’s relished being a part of the emerging 2017 draft class.
“It’s been a really exciting year for us,” Banfield said.
“It’s been awesome having 10 of us as we can all bounce off each other. There’s lots of similar blokes in there and lots of variety.
“I think there’s been more than one playing in every game this year, so you’ve got that mate on away trips that you can bounce off and are in the exact same position as you, which is a massive help.”
Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich said that Banfield was another important re-signing for the club.
Banfield is the third young Fremantle player to re-sign this week, alongside defender Taylin Duman and emerging key forward Hugh Dixon.
“It’s really exciting for Fremantle, and for Bailey, to have him commit for another two years at the football club,” Rosich said.
“Having Bailey come in off the rookie list and play all but one game so far this season, it illustrates the hard work he’s put in on and off the field since being drafted.
“We have had 22 young players join Fremantle in the past two years and to re-sign Bailey until 2020 is another important step as we look to build for season 2019 and beyond.
“We’re excited to see what Bailey can do next year with another AFL pre-season under his belt.”
