Renowned for his tagging efforts throughout his debut campaign, Bailey Banfield was asked to evolve his game as a pressure forward. Struggling to adjust to the positional alteration, he was dropped after round 3 and subsequently made just four more appearances. He was dominant in the WAFL, averaging 26 touches and seven tackles. Banfield's prospects are firmly in the hands of new coach Justin Longmuir, awaiting his positional directions. He has shown nous as a man-hunting midfielder, and regularly displayed defensive traits as a tagger. Someone to keep on the watchlist, a handy upside prospect if all falls his way.
Banfield in the BB gun
Renowned for his tagging efforts throughout his debut campaign, Bailey Banfield was asked to evolve his game as a pressure forward. Struggling to adjust to the positional alteration, he was dropped after round 3 and subsequently made just four more appearances. He was dominant in the WAFL, averaging 26 touches and seven tackles. Banfield's prospects are firmly in the hands of new coach Justin Longmuir, awaiting his positional directions. He has shown nous as a man-hunting midfielder, and regularly displayed defensive traits as a tagger. Someone to keep on the watchlist, a handy upside prospect if all falls his way.
Bailey takes the field
Slotting straight into Ross Lyon’s squad was no issue for rookie selection Bailey Banfield, who usually shadowed the competition’s elite midfielders like Zach Merrett and Aaron Hall. When not tagging, he would roam around a half forward flank. He ranked third at the club for tackles without breaking any records with his disposal tallies. The Claremont recruit will be a regular feature in Fremantle’s midfield rotations again, improving his strength and endurance over the preseason. Expect Banfield to improve his stats as he helps pick up the slack from the departed Lachie Neale, but at this stage he’s still bench cover at best. A late pick could be justified if he gets an unlikely role change.
Banfield drew right straw
Bailey Banfield was rewarded for winning the Claremont best & fairest with a rookie contract at Fremantle. He averaged six clearances from 24 possessions with six tackles and four marks. The long line of just-drafted inside midfielders waiting to make a senior debut at Fremantle in front of Banfield will be at least four, and he will most likely have to wait his turn.
