In the immediate aftermath of their grand final heartache, Fremantle have already started planning for next year, making the brutal decision to delist four players.
Among those getting the chop is fan favourite Bailey Banfield, who fell out of favour with the coaches this year after featuring 21 times at AFL level in 2025.
Banfield, 28, managed just one game this season to take his career tally to 119.
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Just a week ago, Banfield was being hailed at the AFL’s Brownlow Medal event, winning the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award, and also winning the crowd over with a powerful speech about the many causes he supports.
Sam Sturt, Ollie Murphy and Ryda Luke are the other players who were not offered contracts for 2027.
The four join veteran forward Sam Switkowski in leaving the club, with Switkowski revealing last month that he intended to retire after the grand final.
Fremantle football manager Joe Brierty thanked all four players, saying: “These decisions are never easy …
“Particularly when you’ve had a player like Bailey who’s been at the club for just under 10 years,” Brierty said.
“His contribution has had an impact not only on the field, but also off it and around the club. It culminated in him receiving the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award at the Brownlow Medal Count last week.
“Bailey’s passion and his work in the community have had an impact on all of our players and staff.
“His resilience and determination to get the most out of himself on the football field, playing a variety of roles during his time at Fremantle, is something our coaching staff has always admired.
“He obviously has an exciting journey ahead, and we wish Bailey and his wife, Julia, all the best as they plan for the arrival of their first child.
“We also wish Bailey all the best with any opportunities that may open up within the AFL.”
Sturt has also been shown the door, managing just 31 AFL games since he was snapped up with pick No.17 in 2018 national draft.
Sturt has suffered from multiple injuries during his time in the AFL, including an ACL tear in 2025.
“Sam has shown great resilience since being drafted, but unfortunately his body has failed him at different times,” Brierty said.
“Every time Sam has faced adversity, he’s met it with the highest level of professionalism and dedication, doing the best he possibly can to rehab his body.
“After the ACL injury last year, he did all the work he possibly could to get back to football, and we were so proud when he returned to play with Peel late this season.
“Unfortunately, his body wasn’t able to hold up to the rigours of the game.
“Sam’s been a highly respected and valued teammate across our football program, and we know he’ll be successful in any future endeavours he puts his mind to.”
Murphy and Luke did not manage an AFL debut after they arrived in 2023 and 2025 repsectively, the latter as a Category B rookie.
Murphy was selected with Pick 41 in the 2023 draft.
“The club would like to thank Ollie and Ryda for their contributions,” Brierty said.
“Ollie has been with us for three years now, and Ryda for the past 12 months. We wish them both all the best with their future endeavours.”
