View Full Version : Dockers unite to urge Bell to play on
freo grover
3 Jul 2008, 15:25
3rd July 2008, 10:15 WST
Fremantle president Rick Hart and coach Mark Harvey have joined forces to urge veteran midfielder Peter Bell to play on in 2009.
And Harvey said he had not ruled out making a move for former West Coast Eagles star Ben Cousins somewhere down the line.
Former Dockers skipper Bell contemplated retiring at the end of last season but was convinced otherwise by Harvey on the proviso he could commute from Geraldton to Perth each week to play in 2008.
The 32-year-old, who called an end to that arrangement in May, has missed just the one match this season and is averaging almost 22 possessions a game, proving invaluable in a midfield missing regulars Paul Hasleby and Des Headland to knee injuries.
“I think he’s enjoying his footy very much at the moment and I would think if Peter Bell wants to go on that would be his decision,” Hart told Perth radio.
“If he decides that he’s got another year or whatever in footy then the Fremantle footy club would love to have him.”
Harvey said Bell’s form warranted a contract extension should the 286-game veteran choose to continue on into a 15th season.
“The fact he’s come back to Perth - he’s really got a lot of freedom about him,” Harvey told Channel Seven.
“Mentally it looks like he’s refreshed.
“I spoke to another club we played a couple of weeks ago and they said how effective Peter Bell was and how they really saw him as a guy that they were really concerned with throughout the course of the game.”
And Harvey did not rule out recruiting former Eagle Cousins, should the 30-year-old nominate for this year’s AFL draft.
“I really hope Ben does come back and play the game he loves - whether we are a part of it or not remains to be seen,” Harvey said.
“We will be guided by what happens in the next two or three months with his football.”
Meanwhile, Hart, who at the start of the season declared the Dockers had never been in better shape to make a run at the premiership, ruled out a drastic list overhaul at the end of the year despite the club’s disastrous 2-12 win-loss record.
“I think we’ve really got something to build on. It’s not as if we’re in a devastating situation and got to completely rebuild,” Hart said.
“We’ve got the nucleus still there and with the addition of some really good youth players, I think we’ll still be around the place.”
Hart said a replacement for outgoing chief executive Cameron Schwab was unlikely to be named by the end of July.
PERTH
I think Belly will know its time to move on. Unlike another player who just doesnt get the hint.
edgehead47
3 Jul 2008, 17:13
I wouldn't be against him playing on and helping out our young midfielders next year but he will probably will retire. I guess its a good time to bow out considering the shocker of a year we've had and the need to rebuild the midfield, but we could do with him to help out and mentor the younger players. His form means he could play on if he wants but if he was contemplating retirement last year, surely he will pull the pin after this season.
Memories
3 Jul 2008, 17:40
He needs to go in my mind, as a player. I'd still like to have him around the club though, find a role for him.
I'd ask him for one more year as a depth player/or to help the other guys and get rid of Peake.
We can then hopefully get some more games into OBrien and Foster and Hinkley with the little general doing the guidance. :thumbsu:
Underdog
3 Jul 2008, 17:45
I think Belly will know its time to move on. Unlike another player who just doesnt get the hint.
What hint would that be given he's played 8 games this year and 22 each the past 2 years?
I would much rather have Bell on the list and in the 22 then Peake or Thornton.
At least with Bell on the park, the opposition has to use a good player to nullify him. Hopefully next year when that happens it means Haselby/Headland/Palmer/Ibbotsson are running free
anchor man
3 Jul 2008, 18:56
Just my opinion,I think he will play on next year.I hope he does more as a mentor for the younger players than anything else.
W rehave moved experienced players on far too quickly in the past,we still need them to guide the young ones.Players like Fletcher and Bond were moved on far too early.They should have been maintained because of their professional approach and their ability to teach the young players how it is done.
kidstyler
3 Jul 2008, 19:11
shouldnt have played this year ...
i will not urge bell to play on next year!
Underdog
3 Jul 2008, 19:15
shouldnt have played this year ...
i will not urge bell to play on next year!
He has still been a pretty good performer this year but does anyone else find it ironic that he wanted to retire and essentially lost the passion, yet the club goes out of it's way to keep him?
Irrelevant
The only real reason to keep him would be in a mentor role
sabre_ac
3 Jul 2008, 21:07
Headland and Haselby to return next year....We draft a gun midfielder...Thats three I would want playing most of the season.
Who comes out?
I would hate for Bell to take the place of someone like Mayne or Hinkley. That said he offers more than Peake at the moment.
I lean towards let him go.
Bell is how number one tagged player. Other team respect him, so to all the dheads, he still in our best 10 players. He will play if he wants to.
chook2734
3 Jul 2008, 22:03
I think Bell could even play on in a small forward type role, with cameos in the midfield if/when required. As has been said above, the leadership qualities he can offer will be very important, particularly if there is a large influx of young players (as we all hope). If he wants to go on, he deserves the opportunity to do so.
I think the shocking thing in regards to what was reported in the article was concerning Cousins coming to the club. F*ck I hope not!!
dockers_bengals
3 Jul 2008, 23:09
I think Bell could even play on in a small forward type role, with cameos in the midfield if/when required. As has been said above, the leadership qualities he can offer will be very important, particularly if there is a large influx of young players (as we all hope). If he wants to go on, he deserves the opportunity to do so.
I was thinking that as well so you must be right:thumbsu::D
Maybe he is enjoying this year more because he doesn't have any leadership roles,you would think it would take a bit of pressure off of him.
Play on Belly I say,if he wants to that is.
Hasleby will be back in 2009.
We can't have a midfield of Palmer, Bell, JCarr & Hase
IMO we can have only one of Josh Carr or Belly on the list for 2009.
Similar pace, ageing legs...
Both have guts
JCarr perhaps a better defensive player
Belly runs more
Belly kicks more goals
Belly is more disciplined
Josh Carr it's time to leave the building....
Belly 1 more year please
Re Cousins - if avail at a decent price & a decent pick, we'd be stupid not to pick him up
As said earlier, Bell to a forward pocket.
He sure as hell knows how to get front and centre, plus knows where the goals are.
Like for Bell and Hasleby rotate between midfield and the forward pocket.
Anyway, If we get Cousins via ps draft and Rich that would give a midfield of: Cousins, Bell, J Carr, Hasleby, Palmer, Headland, Crowley, Ibbotson, and Rich. That would turn our midfield from crap to very good in one year. Gives time for Hinkley and others to develop.
Memories
4 Jul 2008, 12:43
Like for Bell and Hasleby rotate between midfield and the forward pocket.
Anyway, If we get Cousins via ps draft and Rich that would give a midfield of: Cousins, Bell, J Carr, Hasleby, Palmer, Headland, Crowley, Ibbotson, and Rich. That would turn our midfield from crap to very good in one year. Gives time for Hinkley and others to develop.
The funny thing is, if we do get Cousins and Rich (plus some other good youngsters most likely if we are bottom 2) AND clean out the 8-10 players our list is going to look very different... yet still be extremely powerful. I don't think many clubs could say the same, but due to the fact we have like 10 or so very good players still in their peak playing zone and the 8 we are getting rid of are just wasting space on our list (limiting our depth).... it's exciting for us.
I'm still amazed we actually managed to push the top 3 teams with the team we can put out on the park, with a bit of injection of talent and more fitness we will be top 4 imo. We most likely would be top 4 right now if Hase and Headland were playing at 90% of their capacity. With them back and Cousins+Rich I might just buy a membership for my dogs back home just so they can say they were members when we won in 2009.
SupersonicDocker
4 Jul 2008, 14:20
I don't think we will get Rich... The Eagles have publicly said they want him so I'm fairly certain when push comes to shove they will make sure they finish second last rather than third last above us.
It looks however that their are plenty of young guns running around though...
Yarran seems our best bet if Naitanui and Rich are gone, would rather a WA kid. Too many champion WA boys playing away
Anyway onto topic...
Bell and Hasleby in a forward pocket would be a pretty ridiculous idea i think... For starters Bell is way too small... And dont say he kicks plenty of goals crumming the packs because all of those are coming from him running forward with the play. Not standing in the goal square. Same said for hasleby, why would we put our best playmaker in a forward pocket?
If Bell is going to play on, it's as a rotation midfielder... Otherwise i can't see where else he could play.
legitimatic
4 Jul 2008, 16:28
Would love to see him play on one more year, still amongst our best most weeks and can still offer a lot on the field as well as off, in player development and various leadership roles. Belly is a champ, deadset.
If he wasn't running out games well, getting the ball and remaining generally injury free, then I'd say move on, but that's not the case, so I say play on. Also, a young midfield is going to need some steeled experience to keep some of the heat off, this shouldn't be underestimated.
BTW, many are mentioning Headland back next year, and I hope so of course, but I'm not convinced that he's going to be ever back to full fitness long term the way his knee injury has been described - another thing to consider before we put Bell out to pasture.
PalaceGun
4 Jul 2008, 18:33
The 32-year-old, who called an end to that arrangement in May, has missed just the one match this season and is averaging almost 22 possessions a game, proving invaluable in a midfield missing regulars Paul Hasleby and Des Headland to knee injuries.
How can a player in a 2-12 side be invaluable?
He's been average at best in a very average side.
PalaceGun
4 Jul 2008, 18:37
This talk about Cousins joining Fremantle is a waste of time.
He'll only be joining a club who (a) will take him (Freo ok here) and (b) a club who can win a Premiership within 3 seasons (Freo not ok here). So unless no one else will touch him he won't be playing for FFC.
NiGHTFuRY
7 Jul 2008, 20:22
well peter won't be playing on now...
Underdog
7 Jul 2008, 21:05
He has still been a pretty good performer this year but does anyone else find it ironic that he wanted to retire and essentially lost the passion, yet the club goes out of it's way to keep him?
I was closer then I thought :o
All the best Belly
Finally that chump with the bell will be quiet! :) I'm tired of him dinging it 65 times when we play you