2024 saw all three players experience career-best years with both Banfield (20) and Sturt (21) kicking 20 or more goals for the first time in an AFL season, while Wagner featured 12 times, the most AFL games he’s played in a single season across his six-year career.
All three players expressed their excitement to be part of Fremantle’s young growing list.
“I’m really excited about where this group is going and I’m really excited to be part of it,” Banfield said following his contract announcement.
“I think we’ve got the core group of players at the Club that’s going to win our first flag hopefully.”
After being selected with pick 17 in the 2018 National Draft, versatile forward Sturt played 13 games for season, including the last 12 straight which saw the 24-year-old boot 19 goals and take 37 marks.
“I feel like the last two seasons I’ve had pretty full years, played the backend of last year (2023) in the AFL side and then the backend of this year in the AFL side, so I definitely feel like I’m getting continuity in my footy and my body is feeling really good,” Sturt said.
“The conversion is something I’ve definitely worked hard on, but I feel like to get those opportunities to have shots at goal it’s (created from) my work I do up the field.
“Hopefully (I’m) playing a few more games in the AFL side next year, but I’m just looking to continue on working on my aerial craft, my ground level stuff, my pressure and my defensive efforts.
Following four seasons at North Melbourne and Melbourne before making the move west to Fremantle, Wagner experienced a season that saw the 27-year-old add a point of difference to Fremantle’s defence with his dashing speed and ability to break the oppositions lines.
A view shared By Fremantle’s Head of Player Personnel David Walls.
“This is Corey’s first-ever contract extension and it’s thoroughly deserved,” Walls said.
“He hasn’t had an easy run to be at his third club. He had a few injury setbacks that he worked hard to overcome and when he’s fit and available, he’s played for us.
“He and his wife Michaela are about to become parents and they are just great people to have around the Club.
“They are both so invested. Wags (Wagner) doesn’t like any of the spotlight, he’s just keen to work hard and be part of our success.”
Banfield, who has the most AFL experience of the three said he was looking to forward to continuing to progress his game after a strong 2024 that saw the utility feature across multiple lines.
“(Playing across multiple lines) just changes the looks that you get, gets you involved in the game in a different way and really challenges you mentally from a role specific capacity,” Banfield said.
“I can keep improving my leadership and on field direction as well to make the game easier for my teammates. That’s something I’m really going to focus on in the (upcoming) pre-season.”
The trio now add to the list of 22 Fremantle players signed until 2026 or beyond.
“Banfield’s now played 97 games so is coming into his prime as an AFL player,” Walls said.
“He’s so versatile and able to adapt to a number of different roles. He played wing, down back, defensive forward – he’s just such a good person to have at your Club and is happy to do anything to make the team succeed.
“Seeing Sturt play the last 12 games was exciting for a player who’s struggled for continuity and has had injury interruptions.
“He’s a hard forward to match up on and just offers something different in attack. He’s good on a lead and at ground level and extremely accurate in front of goals.”
