Axed Fremantle utility Bailey Banfield says he’s been “playing some of the best footy of my career” as he looks to get an AFL lifeline as a delisted free agent.
Banfield was one of four Dockers who were released by the club on Tuesday, alongside luckless forward Sam Sturt, key defender Ollie Murphy and rookie Ryda Luke.
The 28-year-old had been a mainstay of club’s best 23 for the previous four years but managed only one AFL game this season — in round 24 against Carlton — as he fell out of favour.
Banfield has played 119 games since he was recruited with pick No.5 in the 2017 rookie draft and played a variety of roles across his nine seasons at the club.
He would instead play 17 games for Fremantle’s WAFL aligned club Peel Thunder, averaging 24 disposals to play a pivotal role in the club’s fourth premiership.
While Banfield is without an AFL home right now, his manager Andrew McDougall of Corporate Sports Australia, revealed last week that the Claremont product had interest from at least two Victorian clubs.
Banfield said he had a lot more to give in the AFL and would take an opportunity if it was presented to him.
“I think this year showed me that I’ve still got a lot of care and a lot to give in the game,” Banfield told SEN WA.
“I was playing some of the best footy of my career and the opportunities didn’t open up in the AFL team at all for me this year which was disappointing.
“I feel like I’ve still got a lot to give, so hopefully something pops up for me and I can give something to another club.
“I am still only 28, the body’s got a lot left to give and mentally I think this year showed me I still want it and I’m still desperate to achieve more in the game.”
Banfield said he had knew for sometime that this would likely be his last season at the Dockers, but conceded it was still tough to be told this week he’d not be on the list next year.
“It was an emotional day, yesterday. I’d probably known it was coming for a little while but it (Fremantle) has still been a bit part of my adult life and that’s all I’ve known from a footy point of view,” he said.
“And I’ve got some really strong relationships and care really deeply about the footy club. It was a big day and quite emotional to be honest.
“You start to read the tea leaves a little bit and you see some other blokes getting extended and I wasn’t hearing much from my manager from Freo’s end. So you start to figure it out and after the Peel grand final, I was quite emotional as well because I probably realised that it my last time suiting up. It wasn’t 100 per cent guaranteed but I definitely sense it was coming.”
Meanwhile, wingman Nathan O’Driscoll is still yet to re-sign at the Dockers despite having a multi-year contract on the table.
O’Driscoll had interest from the Western Bulldogs, but they have cooled as the Victorian club looks to bring in Zak Butters from Port Adelaide.
There were reports that rookie Leon Kickett had signed a one-year deal to remain at Fremantle until the end of 2027 at least.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails