It meant the 2014 winner fell agonisingly short of the final at the 6000-point Burton Automotive Pro, but it was still the 24-year-old's best performance of the year.

Requiring a 7.5 as the clock wound down in his heat with eventual winner Alex Ribeiro, Banting could only manage a slightly controversial 6.90 from the judges.

While some would argue the Port Macquarie product was unlucky to not be awarded the score he deserved, Banting remained philosophical.

"I've received a lot of messages and everything from people saying they would have gotten me over the line with a seven or an eight, but everyone's opinion is different," he said.

"I haven't got anything to say from my opinion, I'll just go with the flow of what the judges want to judge and prepare for Manly."

The natural-footer claimed the Great Lakes Pro - a 1000-point qualifying series event - on February 24, before he was beaten in the final at the 3000-point Central Coast Pro on March 3.

"The third in Newcastle is the best result so far," Banting said.

"I've been building results slowly and putting them in a little keeper's jar for the end of the year and it's good to build a bit of momentum and confidence early."

Banting said all three events had shown little glimpses of different types of surfing and his heat totals had been impressive.

"I had one or two heat totals close to 19 out of 20 at Avoca and this one (in Newcastle) I dropped some good scores, but this event is a lot more star-studded," he said.

"There are a lot more high-ranked surfers like Julian and Matty Wilko doing the event so there are a lot of good guys in it.

"The points speak for themselves; the third in a 6000-event at 3550 will be a keeper at the end of the year."

A mid-season form slump in 2018 ultimately cost him his spot on the championship tour (CT) in 2019, although it could prove to be a blessing in disguise.

Banting now believes he is in better shape than he thought he was 12 months ago.

"Last year I fell off; I didn't have that many good results between July and October and it let me down a bit in a few of the bigger events," he said.

"This year if I can keep consistent and keep smashing a few heats with a few of the bigger events like the 10,000s I'll be on.

"Last year coming back from a whole year off I thought I was back at 100 percent, but I wasn't.

"Looking back 12 months ago I can see how much I've grown and how much I've improved."

Banting will now head to the Vissla Sydney Surf Pro at Manly Beach where he is expected to take to the water on Wednesday.

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