Peter Bell: Inside the trades which helped launch flag tilt

Former Fremantle footy boss Peter Bell was influential in the Dockers’ recent resurgence to the top of the AFL, as he constructed the trades that helped shape the club into a premiership threat.

Bell had a shaky start to his playing career, being signed by Freo in their inaugural season, being delisted by the club after playing just two games in his first season.

The midfielder’s career then took off at North Melbourne where he won two premierships between 1996 and 1999, before returning to Fremantle to captain the club and play 161 games with them thereafter.

After his playing career, Bell returned to the Dockers in 2018 as General Manager of Football until 2023, where he then took the role of Executive General Manager of Football Talent and Strategy until October 2024.

Bell was behind significant trades which built the club’s list, helping acquire players like Luke Jackson, Shai Bolton and Jordan Clark. All three of these players got All-Australian jackets this season.

Bell explained the process behind the trades and what made the club attractive for highly touted players.

“It was a move to support the players, the way that trades work, player wellbeing and productivity off field,” Bell said on This is Your Journey – thanks to Tobin Brothers.

“I loved the list management side.

“If there was a player, we were interested in, we were making sure that we were doing everything possible to know as much as possible about personal circumstances, partners and off-field activities so that we could represent Fremantle in the best possible light.

“Looking at the team now with some of the trades that have been brought in it’s been really successful for Fremantle.

“Jordan Clark, Luke Jackson and Shai Bolton are All-Australians and are all trades in.

“It’s validation that the players you are trying to attract are the right players, also the environment you’re bringing them into, are going to help them continue to get better.

“Making sure that the club was identifying the right players and where possible being successful in bringing them in.”

Bell further discussed his captivating playing career and the inner workings behind Fremantle’s rise to success.

To hear the full conversation, listen to the rest of the episode via the link below.