MIDFIELDER Tom Bell has endured a frustrating run with injury this season but the emerging Blue's fortunes have improved, with his return to the field in round 16 now followed by a new two-year deal at Carlton.
Bell was due to come out of contract at the end of this season but will now be at Visy Park to the end of 2016.
Bell, 23, told AFL.com.au on Wednesday he was very excited to re-sign with the Blues, saying he was now determined to establish himself as a regular senior player.
"Over the next couple of years I just really want to find a regular spot in the team," Bell said.
"I've sort of been in and out the past couple of years and I want to cement a good position in the side that can hopefully take us to the top of the ladder."
The big-bodied midfielder took some positive steps in that direction at the start of this season, playing four of the Blues' first five games.
But Bell then fractured a finger in round five against the Western Bulldogs.
Initially, the injury didn't seem a significant setback. After surgery to repair the fracture, Bell missed just one game, returning for the round seven clash with Collingwood.
Bell said he had felt ready to play against Collingwood but in hindsight probably should have given his finger longer to heal.
After that game, Bell's finger became infected and he needed further surgery.
Over the next eight weeks, Bell had several other surgeries – he can't remember whether he had four or five operations on the finger all up – during which time he was unable to run.
"It's been pretty challenging. I think I ended up having four or five surgeries on the finger, which got infected," Bell said.
"So I couldn't really sweat in that time, which meant I lost a bit of fitness.
"It's just been a pretty slow process, so I'm happy to get back into the swing of things now."
Bell said his extended time on the sidelines had been particularly frustrating given his good start to 2014.
"It was the first year where I actually strung a few games together early in the year, so I think that's why I did want to come back quite early," Bell said.
"Being out for a long time sort of throws a spanner in the works a fair bit but I'm just happy to be back on the park now."
Bell returned as the Blues' substitute in their round 16 win over St Kilda, playing 48 per cent game time after Andrew Carrazzo suffered a quad injury in the second quarter.
Last Saturday night against the Sydney Swans, he played a full game, finishing with 14 possessions and a team-high seven inside 50s.
Tom Bell surges upfield during last Saturday's loss to the Sydney Swans. Picture: AFL Media
Bell says he is slowing working his way back to full match fitness and hopes to justify the Blues' faith in him with a strong finish to the season.
The Queenslander played soccer as a junior and can thank some friends who relocated from Victoria for introducing him to Australian Football.
Overlooked in several national drafts, he was taken by the Blues at age 20 with pick No. 14 in the rookie draft at the end of 2011.
He played seven games in first season at Carlton, 2012, and nine last year, including both of the Blues' finals and was elevated to the senior list ahead of this season.
Bell says playing under three-time premiership Mick Malthouse over the past two seasons has been the latest stroke of luck in his unlikely AFL career.
"He is a bit of a hard taskmaster," Bell says of Malthouse.
"I've actually really enjoyed playing under him over the past couple of years, especially this year when he has given me a really good opportunity to play senior football.
"I'm really grateful to have him as a coach at the moment and obviously for the next couple of years."
