A desire to be in Fremantle’s first premiership side was the driving force behind Bailey Banfield’s decision to commit to the Club for the next two seasons, signing on until 2024.

A rookie pick in 2018, Banfield has 60 games to his name including 22 in 2022.

Five games this year were as an unused medical sub, including Saturday’s elimination final against the Western Bulldogs, and a further four involved him being subbed on and playing limited game time.

He’s kicked 18 goals in 2022 including 17 from the 13 games where he’s started in the 22, highlighted by his bag of four against Brisbane in round 12.

Banfield admitted he’s had to battle to stay on the list and to get into the team throughout his five years at Fremantle.

WATCH BANFIELD'S INTERVIEW HERE

“It's been simultaneously my best year, but also probably my most frustrating being medi sub nine times,” Banfield said.

“I've almost felt every game this year that I'm playing for my spot and playing for my career as well, so to have a bit of security is definitely nice.”

Banfield said it’s been important to remain upbeat and embrace the ‘role’ as a substitute.

“You can feel naturally disappointed a lot of the time but you’ve got to front up, and I focus on doing my bit in our line meetings and team meetings to help the boys prepare,” Banfield said.

“On game day, I want to play a pretty strong role in terms of sitting on the bench and communicating with the boys - being a bit of that conduit between the coaches and the players.

“When the boys come off I’m getting around them, pumping them up for some good things they’ve done, finding little trends of the game that I'm seeing and trying to be a positive influence that way.”

As an unrestricted free agent, Banfield had the opportunity to explore his options this off-season but decided that Fremantle was where he wanted to be.

“As an unrestricted free agent there were period where I wondered what else was out there so I could get more opportunity,” Banfield said.

“A big part of my decision to stay was what we've built as a group over the last five years.

“The opportunity to be the first team at Freo to win a premiership is something that I'd certainly would hold to a higher regard and something that I want to be a part of.

“This is a group that has that capability.”

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Head of Player Personnel David Walls said Banfield thoroughly deserved the security of a two-year deal.

“Bailey has shown he can handle anything that is thrown at him,” Walls said.

“He’s been on one-year contracts since he’s been with us so it’s awesome that we’ve been able to reward him with a two-year deal to give him a little bit of security.

“He’s mentally capable to handle the disappointment of not being picked, coming in at late notice as the sub and be ready at any time and impact as soon as he does come on.

“Even again on the weekend he wasn’t used in the elimination final and he fronted up and played at Peel the next day.”

Walls said Banfield’s passion for the Club was also clear in his actions off the field.

“He's heavily invested and is doing great work in the administration side of the club in the sustainability area,” Walls said.

“He’s from a family of strong Freo supporters and he’s a Freo man.

“Bailey and his partner Julia have opened their house for (rookie forward) Sebit Kuek, who is living with him and he’s teaching him how to be a professional - the diet required, recovery, game preparation.

“He sets an awesome example for our younger players.”

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