The West Coast Eagles have revealed why the club missed the opportunity to select Charlie Banfield, the son of club legend Drew Banfield, during the recent AFL draft period. Despite being eligible as a father-son selection, the young prospect will not be joining the Eagles due to specific draft circumstances that unfolded during the selection process.
The Draft Decision Explained
Charlie Banfield, whose father Drew played 264 games for West Coast between 1993 and 2006 and was part of the 1994 premiership team, was available through the AFL's father-son rule. However, the Eagles chose not to select him during either the national or rookie drafts, leaving the promising young midfielder available for other clubs.
West Coast's general manager of football, Gavin Bell, provided clarity on the decision-making process. The club had committed to selecting Banfield if he remained available at pick 13 in the rookie draft, but another team intervened before their turn came. Essendon selected Banfield with pick 11 in the rookie draft, just two selections before West Coast's planned move.
"We were really clear with Charlie and his management that if he was available at our pick in the rookie draft, we would select him," Bell explained. "Unfortunately, Essendon took him two picks before we had the opportunity."
Family Legacy and Club Connections
The Banfield name carries significant weight at West Coast, with Drew Banfield remaining one of the club's most respected figures. Drafted as pick number one in the 1992 national draft, the elder Banfield established himself as a versatile and reliable player throughout his 14-season career.
Charlie had been developing his skills at Subiaco in the WAFL Colts, showing promise as a midfielder who demonstrated strong game sense and competitive spirit. His connection to the club through his father made him a sentimental favorite among Eagles supporters who remembered Drew's contributions to the team's success during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Bell emphasized that the club had maintained transparent communication with the Banfield family throughout the draft process. West Coast had committed to using their final list spot on Charlie if he remained available when their selection arrived, providing clarity about their intentions while acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the draft system.
Draft Strategy and List Management
The situation highlights the complex balancing act AFL clubs face between sentimental selections and strategic list management. While father-son picks often generate excitement among supporters and create continuity with club heritage, list managers must weigh these factors against immediate team needs and available opportunities.
West Coast approached the draft with specific positional requirements and ultimately selected other players they believed better addressed their current list profile. The Eagles used their selections on prospects they identified as filling crucial roles in their rebuilding strategy, particularly focusing on adding young talent to strengthen their squad for future campaigns.
Bell expressed confidence that Charlie Banfield would receive a good opportunity at Essendon, noting that the Bombers had shown strong interest in the young midfielder throughout the draft process. The Eagles football boss wished the Banfield family well and acknowledged the difficulty of the situation given the deep connections between the families and the club.
This outcome serves as a reminder that despite the father-son rule providing clubs with priority access to players with family connections to the organization, draft dynamics and other clubs' selections can ultimately determine where these prospects land. The Eagles now look ahead to developing their actual draft selections while watching Banfield's progress at his new club with interest.
