Fremantle Docker Bailey Banfield on the verge of becoming a full-time defender after key injuries to backline

Bailey Banfield’s forced move to the backline against Port Adelaide looks set to become his future after he joined the defensive group during Fremantle training on Monday. The Dockers had to make quick decisions after Cooper Simpson injured his AC joint against the Power, bringing Banfield on as the sub and sending him to defence. Banfield has made his name as a forward who can also play on the wing but he performed well in the backline. With Brandon Walker still two months away from returning from a shoulder injury and Simpson out of action for about 10 weeks, Banfield started the week training as backman. “He’s always got the answers,” midfielder Corey Wagner said. “He’s so diligent in his role. He does all the extras. He’s so smart. That’s why he can do what he does.” The Dockers have been hard hit by injuries to key players in recent weeks which has prompted coach Justin Longmuir to throw his team around. Wagner started as a defender and is now a midfielder. Simpson switched from the forward line to half-back. Oscar McDonald has gone from a key defender to a forward who rucks. Wagner said every player understood the importance of learning to play multiple positions so they could improve their prospects of being selected. “You’ve got to master your role first and then we’ll always have the second role for where you’re going to play,” he said. “Banners is very good at that. He’s very smart, so he can play pretty much anywhere on the field. We do a lot of vision and everyone should know that when they’re not in their right spot, they have to play a different role. “If that’s someone else going to a wing or a wing going to a forward, we all work in tandem and you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”