Son of West Coast Eagles great Drew Banfield to make Euro-Yroke (St Kilda) debut against Richmond
West Coast fans will have the chance to see what they missed out on with the son of an Eagles great, Charlie Banfield, to make his debut for St Kilda this weekend.
West Coast fans will have the chance to see what they missed out on with the son of an Eagles great, Charlie Banfield, to make his debut for St Kilda this weekend.
St Kilda, who have adopted the name Euro-Yroke for Sir Doug Nicholls round, took Banfield with pick No.41 in last year’s draft, with the Eagles unable to match a bid for the father-son prospect due to a lack of list spots.
The Eagles had hoped Banfield would slip through to the rookie draft, but the Saints swooped to pick up the Claremont product.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The 18-year-old put in a strong pre-season and was in line for an early-season debut, but injured his shoulder in round one of the VFL.
After missing five rounds, Banfield made a strong return, averaging 15 disposals, more than five marks and a goal over the past fortnight to earn a senior call-up to face Richmond on Sunday.
Saints general manager Lenny Hayes said Banfield had not put a foot wrong since arriving at the club.
“We’re proud of his willingness to learn, improve and put in the work required, as well as the way he’s handled relocating to Melbourne and an injury setback in his first season,” he said.
“He’s earned this opportunity and the respect of his teammates. We know they’ll be right behind him when he runs out for his first game this weekend.”
Banfield was one of WA’s highest-rated prospects in last year’s draft, with strong performances for WA and capped off his junior career by winning the Mel Whinnen Medal in the WAFL colts grand final.
He had trained with West Coast ahead of the 2025 season but told The West Australian he was excited to continue his family legacy even if not at his father’s club.
“I definitely was on the Eagles radar and they had the chance to sort of pick me up but it’s each their own,” Banfield said after the draft.
“They’ve watched enough footy of me and I guess if they saw better possibilities, that’s how it works out. I’m overjoyed to join the Saints, a great club and I feel like I could fit in there really well.
“I did everything I could so to get to this moment, I’m over the moon.”
