Past James Bell - delisted 2022

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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

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

 
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Most distance covered by a Swan last night. Fourth highest average speed for any Swan. Also the most sprint efforts by any player. Has a good tank but not sure he’s that good with ball in hand. Rather he get a game than L Taylor or Grey at this stage.

Those are some great stats. He was on screen a LOT last night, got to tons of contests. Just struggling to impact them at this point.

I'm hoping with a combination of confidence, experience and a bit of extra strength he'll become cleaner and start racking up touches and tackles. Don't think he'll ever be a star by foot but can see him being a tough, defensively-minded tagger/inside mid who can release the quicker and more skilled players.
 
Those are some great stats. He was on screen a LOT last night, got to tons of contests. Just struggling to impact them at this point.

I'm hoping with a combination of confidence, experience and a bit of extra strength he'll become cleaner and start racking up touches and tackles. Don't think he'll ever be a star by foot but can see him being a tough, defensively-minded tagger/inside mid who can release the quicker and more skilled players.
Hi, where do you get those stats?
 

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Hi, where do you get those stats?
from AFL app - Bell did spend more time in the wing area than close to goal.
Bell James 2020_08_13 stats04.jpg
and his sprints running and distance covered:
Bell James 2020_08_13 stats06.jpg Bell James 2020_08_13 stats08.jpg
 
Not sold on him

think he does try but they all do

his reading of the play is average and I don’t see where his position is long term

but he did a solid enough job last night
Pretty much where I am. I want him to be a success (as one does for all players) and I think there are definitely encouraging signs, I'm just not sure where he fits or if he's got enough tools.

Still, if he keeps improving bit by bit, it could all come.
 
I thought his tackling has been good. He does not get sidestepped often or need to corral. He just hits the player and tends to lock the ball in. So interesting to see if he eventually plays more midfield around the contest.

Also I have seen him kick similar goals in the reserves. He will burst forward and be alone for a mark in the 50m arc. Or get behind the defence for an easy goal. Also seemed to work hard as a winger to create an outside option for a easy handball.
 
I thought his tackling has been good. He does not get sidestepped often or need to corral. He just hits the player and tends to lock the ball in. So interesting to see if he eventually plays more midfield around the contest.

Also I have seen him kick similar goals in the reserves. He will burst forward and be alone for a mark in the 50m arc. Or get behind the defence for an easy goal. Also seemed to work hard as a winger to create an outside option for a easy handball.
His tackling, his running, his effort... you really can't fault any of that.

He needs to start having an impact with the ball in hand, though. Hopefully he can play out the year in the seniors, adjust to the higher pace, and start to show that he can.
 
i think at the moment young players like Bell/Wicks hold their spot on merit.

They have got the workrate to get to contests in the forward half and intensity to tackle and compete for the ball. It is simple but I think we missed that earlier in the season where we wanted to play a forward pressure style but were not able to execute it.

In the interview on the ground after the game I remember Papley saying "sometimes all you have got to bring is effort, you may not have the skill of all the other guys in the team but you have the competitiveness, heart and that want to win."
 
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I sincerely hope this kid makes it, but watching him live tonight I have my doubts. if you play as the deepest forward you need to lead to space, not stand there waving your hands in the air expecting your teammate to hit up a centimetre perfect pass.

have to admit not sure why he was the deepest forward at times
 

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I sincerely hope this kid makes it, but watching him live tonight I have my doubts. if you play as the deepest forward you need to lead to space, not stand there waving your hands in the air expecting your teammate to hit up a centimetre perfect pass.

have to admit not sure why he was the deepest forward at times

I have no idea what he was doing or what horse was trying to accomplish tonight by playing him as the deepest forward.

Mind boggling
 
I have no idea what he was doing or what horse was trying to accomplish tonight by playing him as the deepest forward.

Mind boggling

My take is they were trying to eliminate the influence of Ryan and their other tall defenders by taking them wide and out of the 50 and then backing our smalls to beat their opponent.

Didn’t work obviously.
 
Being played out of position. Should have given him a run through the centre when we were getting spanked through the midfield. Couldn't have been much worse.

On the plus side, while he didn't get to as many contests or win as many touches this week, he was cleaner by hand, and that inside 50 that went across the face of goal was about 5 metres away from being brilliant. Good vision, execution didn't match unfortunately. Probably needs to work within his limits.

Anyway, was better than Foot and on par with Wicks and Stephens imo. But it was a tough night to be a young midfielder/forward.
 
I missed the first half of the game, but he looked pretty poor overall and the stats agree. I'm somewhat optimistic long term but his last few games have steadily declined in quality. Due a rest. Maybe he comes back this season, but regardless, I'd prefer him work on being a full time defensive midfielder with a view to getting a solid run in that position next year.
 

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Past James Bell - delisted 2022

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