AFL News

Dockers legend departs club, eyes “next challenge”

“This has been a difficult decision, but one I feel is the right decision.”

Published by
Aidan Cellini

Fremantle great Peter Bell has departed the club, making the "difficult" decision to end his time as EGM of Football Talent, Strategy and Special Projects.

Bell - who played 163 games for the Dockers - was previously overseeing the club as the football boss from 2019 to 2023 but handed the reigns to Joe Briety.

The former club captain was charged with a "strategic focus on talent identification and acquisition of football personnel" across both the men's and women's programs, which he is vacating after 12 months.

"This has been a difficult decision, but one I feel is the right decision," Bell said.

"I am extremely proud of my contribution to the Club over the years as a player, board member and on the executive team, but I'm keen to explore my next challenge and allow our list managers in, David Walls and Darryn Fry, to lead the Club at the upcoming AFL and AFLW drafts."

In the interim, Walls (AFL) and Fry (AFLW) will report to Briety following the departure of Bell, whose responsibilities will be divided among Fremantle's executive team.

CEO Simon Garlick said Bell's significant contribution over many years meant he left a lasting legacy at Fremantle.

"Peter has played a vital role in helping to get our AFL and AFLW programs to the positions they are currently in," Garlick said.

"In his time as EGM of Football, he oversaw significant list transformations as well as senior coach transitions for both AFL and AFLW. He also led with aplomb during the Covid-impacted seasons and has helped put our Club into the position it is today.

"We are extremely grateful for Peter's contribution and wish him, Lana and his family all the best for the future."

The Dockers will be looking to bounce back into finals after failing to recapture their impressive 2022 over the past two seasons.

Fremantle welcomed Richmond premiership star Shai Bolton to the club and will head to the National Draft with Picks 14, 30 and 67.

Published by
Aidan Cellini