Joel Freijah
| Joel Freijah | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Joel Freijah | ||
| Nickname | Mini Bont[1] | ||
| Born | 14 November 2005 | ||
| Original teams |
GWV Rebels (Talent League) Horsham Saints (WFL) | ||
| Draft | No. 45, 2023 national draft | ||
| Debut | Round 9, 2024, Western Bulldogs vs. Richmond, at Melbourne Cricket Ground | ||
| Height | 191 cm (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Weight | 88 kg (194 lb) | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Western Bulldogs | ||
| Number | 27 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2024– | Western Bulldogs | 38 (19) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 1, 2026. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Joel Freijah (born 14 November 2005) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL).[2]
Early life
Growing up in Horsham, Victoria, Freijah supported the Carlton Football Club in the AFL.[3] Freijah is of Lebanese descent.[4]
After originally playing for the Horsham Saints Football Club in the Wimmera Football League, Freijah left home to attend boarding school at Ballarat Clarendon College and play for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels in the Talent League during 2022 and 2023.[5]
AFL career
With the 45th pick in the 2023 national draft, Freijah was selected by the Western Bulldogs. They recruited the Horsham native with the intent of playing him as a wingman. However, when Freijah eventually made his debut in round 9 of 2024, he began his senior career as a backman.[3] On debut, Freijah had 17 disposals against Richmond at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.[6] A successful debut year came to an end as the Bulldogs lost to Hawthorn in the elimination final.
Freijah cemented his position in the Bulldogs' team early in 2025, averaging 25 disposals and a goal across his first two games against North Melbourne and Collingwood.[5][6] Later in 2025, Freijah starred in the Bulldogs' win over Sydney, kicking four goals from his 23 disposals.[7]
Statistics
Updated to the end of round 1, 2026.[6]
G
|
Goals | K
|
Kicks | D
|
Disposals | T
|
Tackles |
B
|
Behinds | H
|
Handballs | M
|
Marks |
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Totals | Averages (per game) | Votes | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | |||||
| 2024 | Western Bulldogs | 27 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 122 | 84 | 206 | 70 | 17 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 9.4 | 6.5 | 15.8 | 5.4 | 1.3 | 0 |
| 2025 | Western Bulldogs | 27 | 23 | 18 | 10 | 222 | 215 | 437 | 82 | 61 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 9.7 | 9.3 | 19.0 | 3.6 | 2.7 | 6 |
| 2026 | Western Bulldogs | 27 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 22 | 40 | 7 | 5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 9.0 | 11.0 | 20.0 | 3.5 | 2.5 | TBA |
| Career | 38 | 19 | 12 | 362 | 321 | 683 | 159 | 83 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 9.5 | 8.4 | 18.0 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 6 | ||
References
- ^ @AFL (29 June 2025). "'Mini-Bont' put on a show against the Swans 🤩" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
- ^ "Joel Freijah | AFL". westernbulldogs.com.au. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ a b ""It was pretty special": Freijah on first year". westernbulldogs.com.au. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ "firstround". Sydney Morning Herald. 18 April 2023.
- ^ a b Gabelich, Josh (20 April 2025). "Breakout Bulldog on Bont comparisons, his 'tough decision' to leave home". afl.com.au.
- ^ a b c "Joel Freijah". AFL Tables. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ^ Pegan, Martin (27 June 2025). "Bulldogs edge Swans in feisty clash to celebrate Bont's milestone game". afl.com.au. SCG.
External links
- Joel Freijah's profile on the official website of the Western Bulldogs
- Joel Freijah's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Joel Freijah at AustralianFootball.com