St Kilda has confirmed it is aware of an incident involving young Saint Charlie Banfield on a private property in Western Australia, after the ABC reported he accidentally ran over a close friend with a car earlier this month.
The ABC reported on Monday (19 October) that the accident happened on a rural property in Yallingup, in the state’s south-west, citing two separate sources. The ABC said it had been told the injured friend was taken to hospital with broken bones.
In a statement to the ABC, the Saints said: “The St Kilda Football Club is aware of an incident involving Charlie Banfield on a rural private property in Western Australia.
“Our thoughts are with Charlie and the injured individual, who we understand will make a swift and full recovery.
“The club has already spoken to Charlie about this incident and will continue to support him through the matter.”
According to the ABC, the pair are close friends, and it is understood no legal action would be taken against Banfield because the incident was being treated as an accident. A WA Police spokesperson told the ABC it had not received any reports about the incident.
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Who is Charlie Banfield?
The 19-year-old joined St Kilda with pick 41 in the 2025 national draft from WAFL club Claremont, after West Coast did not match the Saints’ bid for the father-son prospect. His father, Drew Banfield, is a two-time premiership player with the Eagles.
Banfield made his AFL debut against Richmond in May and kicked his first AFL goal in that match. He won the Mel Whinnen Medal as best on ground in the 2025 WAFL Colts Grand Final.
The ABC said it had contacted the AFL for comment. St Kilda has not released any further details.
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