Paul Duffield Biography

Dockers life member Paul Duffield announces his retirement from AFL football.

"Paul is a life member and has spent his entire career at Fremantle," Fremantle general manager of football operations Chris Bond said.

"He has been a strong part of our recent on-field success and helped develop our younger players by sharing his valuable knowledge of the game."

Paul Duffield says he needs to keep improving if he wants to re-establish himself as a mainstay in the Dockers' backline.

Duffield earned life membership at Fremantle last season and had been a lock in Ross Lyon's trusted back six since 2012.

But Duffield was dropped following the Dockers' only loss of the year against Richmond in round 10 and was sent back to the WAFL to find some form.

He won a recall and was a solid contributor in Fremantle's 36-point win over the Brisbane Lions.

"I've been a little bit disappointed in my own year," Duffield said.

"I don't think I've played as well this year and with form I've found myself out of the side.

"I'm thankful to get another opportunity today but like everyone I've just got to keep improving on my game. No one is the first picked, everyone has to keep improving and that's the way our side works."

Paul Duffield appears set to spend some time on the sidelines after a report emerged that he dislocated a rib during the Dockers' NAB Challenge win over Melbourne.

He suffered the injury while laying a tackle in the last quarter against the Demons and he was helped from the field in obvious pain.

Paul Duffield qualifies for life membership at the Dockers when he plays in his 150th match for Fremantle this week.

"I wasn't overly talented and I'm still not, I'm a bit of a plodder. I had to work hard to keep improving and I guess if you keep knocking on the door long enough you don't just knock on it, you knock it down," Duffield said about his early years.

"At some stage I had to make the choice to knock it down and try to go forward with my career, and make something of it and now looking back on that, that's something that I'm a little bit proud of that I made something out of something that might not have happened."

Paul Duffield agrees to a one-year contract extension that him remain at Fremantle until the end of the 2015 season.

Fremantle has secured the services of talented half-back Paul Duffield and forward Chris Mayne, re-signing both to long-term deals.

"We are delighted to have Paul and Chris commit to the club because they are both young leaders and very important players," Fremantle general manager Brad Lloyd said.

Fremantle defender Paul Duffield has not started contract discussions for beyond this season, but wants to be a one-club player.

"Every player would say they'd love to be a one-club player and that's certainly something that we'd all aim to be ... hopefully that's the way it goes," Duffield said.

"It's something that I haven't even considered at the moment. I'm just looking forward to fine tuning what I'm going to try and achieve this year personally and with the team. I haven't thought about anything further ahead than that."

Paul Duffield says he has shed some weight in readiness for spending more time in the midfield this year.

"I'm just a little bit lighter this year - that's probably in anticipation of the interchange rule change and just making sure I'm nice and fit and ready to go," he said.

"I guess the understanding is we're going to be down that one rotation and it might pay to have a bit more running in you versus a bit more size as the games unfold.

"My role can change a little bit, and that might mean playing a little bit more through the midfield and also playing in defence as well."

David Mundy, Michael Johnson and Paul Duffield have joined Fremantle's group of leaders.

"The three players joining the leadership group are mid-tier players who are evolving and will need to put their own stamp on the leadership group," Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said.

"With an increase in responsibility, you like to see enhanced performance from your leaders and the ability to handle pressure when a game is in the balance."

Fremantle signs up two of its mid-range players for another two years in Byron Schammer and Paul Duffield.

"When you consider that we have had 11 players make their AFL debuts this season, Paul and Byron, who are both 24, help maintain the right blend of age and experience in our list management model," Fremantle general manager of player management Brad Lloyd said.

"Paul has had a breakout season in defence and Byron has probably had his most consistent season since arriving at Fremantle."

Defender Paul Duffield spent time in the wilderness, but is enjoying playing a pivotal role for Fremantle this year.

"I worked pretty hard with a sports psyche to cover the mental side of the game, but I really put it down to a really hard pre-season," Duffield said.

"It does make it hard going up and down and it's something that I sort of set myself this year to try and change.

"But it really comes down to the individual, what you're willing to do about that situation and to do something about it."