Peter Bell hopes to bring a calm and relaxing influence to Fremantle after being appointed as the club’s new general manager of football.
Bell, a three-time Doig Medallist and life member at Fremantle, will replace outgoing football operations manager Chris Bond.
The recruitment of Bell is a massive boost for Fremantle, who had been scrambling to find replacements for both Bond and departed list manager Brad Lloyd.
The Dockers still haven’t appointed a replacement for Lloyd, meaning Bell will play a major role in Fremantle’s trade, draft, and free agency decisions.
‘‘I’ll be straight into the thick of it, having conversations with players and player managers,’’ Bell told the club’s website.
Bell’s first challenge will be to convince star midfielder Lachie Neale to remain at Fremantle.
Neale has been tabled a huge offer by Brisbane, and his future remains up in the air.
Bell knows all too well about the highs and lows that AFL brings.
He played just two games at Fremantle in his debut season of 1995 before being delisted.
North Melbourne swooped in the 1996 pre-season draft, and Bell won a premiership in his first year with the Kangaroos.
Bell went on to play 123 games for the Kangaroos and won his second premiership along the way before returning to Fremantle in 2001.
The 175cm midfielder added another 161 games for Fremantle, captaining the club for five years to cement his place as one of the club’s all-time greats.
Fremantle have endured a rocky year both on and off the field in 2018, and one of Bell’s major aims is to build strong relationships within the club.
‘‘(I want to be there) helping them solve the problems they face on a day-by-day basis,’’ Bell said.
‘‘That’s really challenging within the stress of football seasons. I’ve lived it, I’ve breathed it. It can be really difficult at times. There’s challenges coming from all directions.
‘‘So it’s just making sure it’s a calm and relaxing place as much as possible where people are able to be the best they can be.’’
Bell will start his new role on October 4, and he’s expected to step down from his broadcasting role at the ABC.
AAP
Source: Read Full Article