BAILEY Banfield achieved a lot in the 12 months between being overlooked at the 2016 NAB AFL Draft and arriving at Fremantle as a rookie on Monday, even coaching a premiership.

Banfield was snapped up by the Dockers with pick No.5 in this year's NAB AFL Rookie Draft after a standout WAFL season that saw him win Claremont's best and fairest as a 19-year-old. 

He also made a significant dent in his economics and finance degree at the University of Western Australia, capping the year off by leading his junior club to a premiership.    

"I coach the Swanny Tigers year nines and I had a really fun year with the boys, it was my second year coaching them," Banfield explained on Tuesday.   

"We actually won a premiership with three goals in the last five minutes to win it by a point, so that's pretty much why I do it, it's great fun and they're a great bunch of boys there. 

"Just being able to share a bit of what my coaches have told me, I get a lot out of that and the boys really enjoy it. They were some of the blokes most excited for me yesterday." 

Banfield was described by Fremantle list manager Brad Lloyd as an outstanding character who completed "one of the best interviews we've done", with his form at WAFL level this year convincing the Dockers to give him a chance. 

The strong-bodied midfielder had been left devastated last year when he was overlooked at the draft, but he turned his attention to Claremont and focused on improving.

"Missing out this time last year was pretty devastating," Banfield said. 

"I had to roll into pre-season that night so that was obviously a driver for me, but I’ve put all thoughts of the draft out of my mind within a week or so and I just wanted to do my best for Claremont. 

"I knew that if I played to my potential, all the rest would take care of itself."