Past James Bell - delisted 2022

[Kennedy Parker]

James Bell

Player Profile
QBE Sydney Swans Academy product James Bell was rewarded for shining NEAFL form when he was called up for his AFL debut against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in Round 21, 2019. The young Swan is one of Sydney’s quickest players, attacks the footy hard and can play on the inside of the midfield, on a wing or at half-forward. In a tribute to his family, Bell celebrated his first AFL goal with a striking Indigenous dance at the MCG in Round 22 last year.

James Bell

32

James Bell

Age

25

Ht

183cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.0

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

2.5

2star

M

3.5

4star

T

2.5

4star

G

0.5

3star

No current season stats available

D

7.0

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

2.5

3star

M

3.5

4star

T

2.5

4star

G

0.5

3star

DOB:10 February 1999
DRAFT:2017
RECRUITED FROM: University of NSW-Eastern Suburbs (NSW)

James Bell | AFL

Follow James Bell's progress through AFL

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[Wolftone]

I think that is an unfair and unhelpful comparison. Bell is a very different kind of player. For those that need a little bit of a reminder about what club legend O'Loughlin was capable of:

I don't think so. He's a clever bugger. Has the same sort of goal sense. Not as tall as Micky O but has a certain excitement about him when he gets near the ball. But yes different players. He plays more like Walters or Whitfield. Can play mids, half forward or half back. Kicks goals when he gets near them.

On ANE-LX2J using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Wolftone]

I don't think so. He's a clever bugger. Has the same sort of goal sense. Not as tall as Micky O but has a certain excitement about him when he gets near the ball. But yes different players. He plays more like Walters or Whitfield. Can play mids, half forward or half back. Kicks goals when he gets near them.

The point I am making is a few years at top level and he will develop poise. No footballer automatically has that poise. He learns it through experience and knowing he has the weapons to compete at this level.

On ANE-LX2J using BigFooty.com mobile app

On ANE-LX2J using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Punts]

He is no micky o

Not even close imo

 

[S120]

Really excited to see Bell play in seniors. I'm not sold that he'll be a long-term seniors player but he deserves a shot. His kicking is pretty poor from what I've seen but I love his game sense in traffic and around stoppages. Fires out quick and clever handpasses to teammates in very tight situation and has a bit of pace to get away from opponents.

Hope he goes well. Have a look at the video on the website of him calling his mum too, very wholesome.

 

[Ticky009]

Congratulations James! Hope you fire up in front of a hostile Port crowd and show them what Bloods are all about.

 

[robbieando]

James gives Mum a Bell

James Bell gave some family members a call after finding out he would be making his AFL debut this weekend.

www.sydneyswans.com.au

I'm not crying your crying

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

I think that is an unfair and unhelpful comparison. Bell is a very different kind of player. For those that need a little bit of a reminder about what club legend O'Loughlin was capable of:

True. I agree an unfair comparison. The young fella is just going to be the best James Bell he can be. He has no shortage of rough edges but the little I have seen over a couple of years on the telly suggests he will have a red hot crack.

Us fans in the cheap seats cannot ask for more than that.

Whether he makes it as an AFL player is up to his application, people reinforcing his confidence and learning and of course a smidgeon of luck. He has pace to burn, reads the play well and is very team focussed. Like every young bloke he has much to work on and a long and hopefully productive road ahead.

For the moment lets just rejoice in another very excited youngster, his family and crew looking forward to his debut, getting a kick and hopefully copping a Gatorade shower!

 

[Nool Carpenna]

Well said Bloodied52

Really happy for James to get the call... and super happy for his family who are always out at BISP in good numbers.
Been a pretty unsettled sort of year for our neafl boys... Belly being in position to get a call this late in proceedings speaks volumes for his tenacity and work ethic.
Have fun James!

 

[BruceFromBalnarring]

Thrilled for this kid. Has been a steady upward trajectory for him and you can see how hard he’s worked for it. I’ve really enjoyed watching his progress and hope to for years to come.

 

[Olian]

Good luck to him. He’s had to work hard just to get on the list. Battle it out in the NEAFL for a couple of years and finally a crack at the senior level. Hopefully he makes the most of his chance.

 

[WWSD]

Good timing, you getting some inside info eh??

Looks like the Swans selection committee read my comment!

 

[grimlock]

James BELL NEAFL stats*

*2017 and 2016 as a topup player

Stat	2019 (Sydney NEAFL)	2018 (Sydney NEAFL)	2017 (Sydney NEAFL)	2016 (Sydney NEAFL)
Total games	15	12	2	1
Total in best players list	7	3	0	0
Total NEAFL MVP votes	6	6	0	0
Average kicks	9.9	7.1	9.0	9.0
Average handballs	10.9	5.7	5.5	3.0
Average disposals	20.8	12.8	14.5	12.0
Average marks	2.4	1.5	3.0	5.0
Average tackles	5.4	3.8	1.0	3.0
Average clearances	3.4	2.0	1.5	0.0
Average inside 50s	2.9	2.3	0.5	5.0
Average rebound 50s	1.3	0.5	0.5	0.0
Average frees for	0.9	0.5	0.5	1.0
Average frees against	1.3	0.7	1.0	2.0
Total goals	5	15	0	1
Total behinds	8	6	0	2
Average Dream Team points	80.00	58.92	48.50	63.00

 

[grimlock]

Looks like the Swans selection committee read my comment!

WWWWSDD

 

[kickthething]

He is no micky o

Not even close imo

Agree, different type of player altogether. Let’s hope he is the first James Bell, and a damn good one.

 

[brad cooper]

I think that is an unfair and unhelpful comparison. Bell is a very different kind of player. For those that need a little bit of a reminder about what club legend O'Loughlin was capable of:

such good memories, forgot how skinny he was in his early years. Was at that 06 qf final, best game of football I've ever seen live.

 

[Ralphyboy]

James BELL NEAFL stats*

*2017 and 2016 as a topup player

Stat	2019 (Sydney NEAFL)	2018 (Sydney NEAFL)	2017 (Sydney NEAFL)	2016 (Sydney NEAFL)
Total games	15	12	2	1
Total in best players list	7	3	0	0
Total NEAFL MVP votes	6	6	0	0
Average kicks	9.9	7.1	9.0	9.0
Average handballs	10.9	5.7	5.5	3.0
Average disposals	20.8	12.8	14.5	12.0
Average marks	2.4	1.5	3.0	5.0
Average tackles	5.4	3.8	1.0	3.0
Average clearances	3.4	2.0	1.5	0.0
Average inside 50s	2.9	2.3	0.5	5.0
Average rebound 50s	1.3	0.5	0.5	0.0
Average frees for	0.9	0.5	0.5	1.0
Average frees against	1.3	0.7	1.0	2.0
Total goals	5	15	0	1
Total behinds	8	6	0	2
Average Dream Team points	80.00	58.92	48.50	63.00

Great stats, where do you get them from?

 

[JZ_Skitzo]

such good memories, forgot how skinny he was in his early years. Was at that 06 qf final, best game of football I've ever seen live.

I was there as well. Have to agree it was insane. I couldn't sleep for hours afterwards because of the sheer amount of Adrenalin my body was over dosing on. Had the shakes.

 

[SwansProudly]

Enjoy yourself today

To 17-year-old James Bell, who will debut for the Sydney Swans on Saturay night, it felt like a jail.
“We didn’t actually call it a hostel or anything. Us boys would just say, ‘oh well, getting picked up and going back to our cells,” says Bell.
“Boys would fight over food because they’d only give us a certain amount.
“The rooms were just a single bed and a cupboard. There was nothing else in there. You had no mirror to look in. As soon as they closed the doors, they took the phones off you and you couldn’t get out without setting off the alarms. Legit, it sometimes felt like a jail.”
...
Heading down a path to self-destruction in Shellharbour on the NSW south coast, Bell was thrown a lifeline by Sydney legend Michael O’Loughlin and Chris Smith at the Swans Academy, allowing him to escape from the distractions that were threatening to blow his sporting ambitions up on the runway.

Link to article in this tweet seems to get around the paywall

 

[Jewelsbon]

I can't read anything about this young bloke now without shedding a tear!
I hope and pray he follows in the footsteps of Micky O and that today is the start of a long and glorious career.

Just an aside, how wonderful is Mickey O?

 

[SwansProudly]

I can't read anything about this young bloke now without shedding a tear!
I hope and pray he follows in the footsteps of Micky O and that today is the start of a long and glorious career.

Just an aside, how wonderful is Mickey O?

and from that article Adam Goodes is whipper-snipping and mowing lawns.
What a support group young James has.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Very tough position to debut in this team this season you have zero support.

 

[BarneyBent]

Very tough position to debut in this team this season you have zero support.

Yeah mostly stuck forward pocket without much delivery, but he was also not quite up to the pace. But that’s ok, he’s 20, reckon he’s got a taste and whether or not he gets another game this year, hopefully it will set him up well for next year.

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

Yeah mostly stuck forward pocket without much delivery, but he was also not quite up to the pace. But that’s ok, he’s 20, reckon he’s got a taste and whether or not he gets another game this year, hopefully it will set him up well for next year.

Did a couple of nice things. Just needs to adjust a bit and preferably be played further up the ground.

 

[BloodySwan]

Would have been better had Horse played Bell in the midfield and not at FF

 

[Cadsky]

Was really hoping he'd nail his shot at goal yesterday. I liked the look of him with the minimal possessions he got. I'm sure he will build and end up a great winger/ forward for us