Peter is currently sharing the mantle of having played the second most VFL/AFL games by a Western Australian with Glen Jakovich (276) but is certain to over take the former West Coast Eagle when Fremantle take on Richmond at Subiaco Oval this Sunday.
Peter’s brilliant career has seen him establish himself as arguably the finest player to wear the club’s jumper and one of the greatest players ever produced in WA. Since his debut in Round 1, 1995 he has gone on to forge a career that has delivered success on both a personal and team level.
He was an AFL Rising Star Nominee in 1996, the year he claimed his first Premiership with North Melbourne at just 20 years of age. The following year he was runner-up in the Roos’ Best and Fairest award, before enjoying more team success – a pre-season premiership and Grand Final appearance in 1998 and his second premiership in 1999. To cap off what was a stellar 1999 season for Peter he was named in both the All Australian and International Rules teams that year.
Peter ended his career with the Kangaroos in 2000 as their Best and Fairest winner that year before crossing to Fremantle for the 2001 season. The change in team did not signify a change in form as he went on to claim his first of three Doig Medals in his first year with the club. He again claimed the honour in 2003 and 2004 and has placed in the top four for the award in every year he has not won it.
He was named Fremantle’s Captain for the 2002 season, a role he held until the end of 2006 before handing the reigns to Matthew Pavlich. His time at the helm signalled a drastic change in Fremantle’s on field performance with the club playing its first ever final in 2003 with Peter in charge. His efforts in helping Fremantle reach the finals in 2003 saw him earn his second All Australian team selection as well as seeing him named WA State of Origin Captain – a title he also held in 2004 and 2006.
In 2006, he once again showed his value to Fremantle by guiding the team to the Preliminary Final for the first time. He played his 250th AFL game in the Second Semi Final against Melbourne, leading the club to its first ever finals victory.
Peter played all 22 games in 2007 and again showed why he is one of the premier players in the AFL. He earned his sixth consecutive State of Origin selection, earned AFL Life Membership and Fremantle Football Club Life Membership that year.
Senior Coach Mark Harvey today commended Peter on his illustrious career and equalling Wayne Richardson’s games record.
“It is a fantastic achievement for Peter Bell,” Mark said.
“Knowing where Peter’s come from and knowing how hard he has had to fight for a career, it’s a significant achievement.
“He’s a fantastic thinker of the game and he has manipulated himself in the game where he has always been above the rest of the opposition he has played on.
“His skill level is sensational on both sides and then his ability to be able to read the game and expose the opposition is significant. One of the first things he does is he works out the opposition’s weakness straight away and goes after it, whoever he is playing on.”
Wayne Richardson kicked 323 goals in his 277 games for Collingwood between 1966 and 1978.
