Fremantle defender Bailey Banfield has opened up about his "favourite week of the year", highlighting the significance of the Starlight Purple Haze game, an annual fixture partnering the Dockers and the Starlight Children's Foundation.
Fremantle's Round 16 clash with St Kilda will mark the 23rd annual Starlight game, the Dockers raising over 3 million dollars for the foundation since its inception in 2002. In 2024, the Dockers broke their previous donation record, raising over 473 thousand dollars. Banfield spoke about the importance of the foundation and creating "core memories" for the kids involved on Monday.
"[Starlight] is really special, to not only raise money but also to bring all the kids along on the journey," Banfield told media. "We've got five kids coming throughout the week, and obviously, they're a big part of the game day experience as well. They're kids that we've seen throughout the year as well at the hospital, so to bring them and their families along is always really special."
Fremantle have won its last three Starlight games in dominant fashion, defeating Melbourne by 50 points last year, Hawthorn by 69 points in 2023, and GWS by 34 points in 2022. Banfield said the atmosphere the cause brings to the game is "powerful" and plays a role in their success.
"It's an awesome day, our fans love it and get behind it really significantly every year. Not just financially but also showing up in numbers," Banfield said. "The cheers the kids get when they go around after the game and when they get shown on the big screen is pretty awesome. I'm sure that's a core memory for them."
"It's so powerful, and our fans really connect with it because they know the boys are behind it. The girls now as well too, we've got a few Starlight ambassadors in the AFLW group, which is awesome. The fans feel that connection and the genuine care we have for the kids."
Banfield reflected on the game's significance for the club, especially after an electric month of football that has seen the club win five games in a row.
"The Starlight game is a good perspective check for the club as a whole and the playing group. You can be going as well as you want, like we are at the moment with five on the trot, or you can be down in the dumps and have lost a few, and the season is really struggling.
"And then these kids come into the room, come into the club and really brighten the place up. That's really special. Some of the things they're going through put what we're going through into perspective as well. I think no matter where you're at in the season, this game gives the boys an extra boost.
"It definitely makes you want to win for them."
The Starlight game begins at 3:10 pm AWST on Sunday with the Dockers aiming to extend their win streak to six games and jump into the top four.