Peel Thunder Football Club great Blair Bell calls time on his career

The Peel Thunder Football Club acknowledges the career of Blair Bell as he announces his retirement from the WAFL.

After debuting for the Club in Rd16, during the 2013 WAFL Season, Bell has been a regular in the Peel Thunder team and leaves the Club as the most decorated player in its history.

Despite a knee injury which saw him miss the entire 2014 season, Bell returned to his local South Mandurah Football Club in 2015, culminating in him winning the Ross Elliott Medal for the Association’s Best & Fairest, before returning to Peel Thunder in 2016 and being a strong contributor to their very first WAFL Premiership.

His record speaks for itself with 137 games, 147 goals kicked, Premierships in 2016, 2017 and 2024, Club Leading Goal Kicker in 2019, 2021 and 2022, Tuckey Medallist (Peel Thunder B&F) in 2023, and WAFL State Representative in 2019.

Peel Thunder CEO, Paul Lekias, recognised the contribution Bell has made to the Club across his career.

“You would be hard pressed to find a better person, but also someone that prepared for League football like Belly did, even with the early mornings and long days as a commercial fisherman local to Mandurah”, Lekias said.

“His commitment to Peel Thunder and his relentless approach to getting the best out of himself for the Club was second to none, and he has firmly put his name on the list as one of our Club’s greatest players.”

“Not only was he loved and admired by his teammates, his opponents, but also the whole Peel community and that is a credit to the way he conducted himself on and off the field.  He will be missed, but we also acknowledge he has earned the right to go out his way, with the 2024 Premiership to his name”.

The three Senior Coaches that guided Bell during his career at the Club were full of praise for him as they reflected on his playing ability.

Two-time Premiership Coach, Cam Shepherd, said "Blair always put team first, he was a highly skilled strong player who was resilient, consistent, and on many occasions a match winner. He was a pleasure to coach and a very important member of our 2016 and 2017 Premierships. To continue and become a three-time premiership player in 2024 is a testament to him. Above all a great fella and one who retires a true Peel legend."

Geoff Valentine outlined, “As Senior Coach of the West Perth Football Club, I admired Blair Bell from afar, and then when I had the chance to watch him go about his business up close as the Peel Thunder Senior Coach, that admiration and respect went to a whole new level.  He was a genuine star of the competition.”

“Not only was he one of the best players of the competition, but he was also an outstanding community man and integral cog in the Fremantle Football Club-Peel partnership.  Everyone at the FFC holds Blair in the highest regard.  It’s fitting that the Mayor of Mandurah retires as Peel’s most decorated player.”

2024 Premiership Coach, Adam Read, who has spent a large portion of the time at the Club during Bell’s career, said “Blair’s legacy stands as Peel’s greatest player and one of the finest talents the WAFL has seen in his era. A triple premiership hero, his selfless commitment to the team was unwavering. His legacy goes far beyond on-field achievements—he’s left a lasting imprint on the Peel community. More than just a great footballer, Blair is a great person. Coaching him has been a privilege, and being part of his journey has been an honour. I thank him for his relentless dedication and support, and wish him all the very best in a richly deserved retirement”.

During an emotional announcement to the playing group on Thursday evening, Bell implored the current playing squad to embrace the Club and to ensure they get the best out of themselves to deliver success to the Club.

“After spending over a decade with Peel Thunder, I am proud of the clubs’ achievements in that time and glad I was able to play a part. I would like to thank everyone that has been involved throughout my career who helped me get the best out of myself. The club is a special place and the people in and around it are like family. I will cherish the relationships built over my time here for life. With the personnel and resources that the Peel Thunder Football Club have there is no better place for any aspiring footballers to apply themselves.”