Eric Benning is from Kununurra and a member of Fremantle's Tyrepower Next Generation Academy. He is an athletic and agile tall who is clean below his knees and makes good decisions with the ball. Benning relocated to Perth at the start of 2021 year and showed rapid improvement for Claremont throughout the season, while also being selected for all three games for WA at the NAB AFL U19 Championships. He was the third highest rated ruck in the WAFL Colts this year, rating in the top three for average contested possessions, clearances, score assists and score involvements.