Peter, who played his last game against Essendon in round 12, advised senior coach Mark Harvey and club officials of his decision this morning.
Peter’s brilliant career has seen him establish himself as arguably the finest player to wear the Fremantle jumper and one of the greatest players ever produced in WA.
Since his debut for Fremantle in Round 1, 1995 he has gone on to forge a career that has delivered success at both a personal and team level.
A dual premiership player with North Melbourne in 1996 and 1999, Peter returned to Fremantle in 2001 and captained the club from 2002 to 2006.
During his 13-year career, the 32-year-old twice won All Australian selection and is a three time winner of Fremantle’s best and fairest award the Doig Medal. Peter was also runner-up in the Doig Medal three times.
A former president of the AFL Players Association, Peter is a life member of both the Fremantle Football Club and the AFL.
Mark Harvey said that Peter had battled hardship to forge an outstanding AFL career.
“Knowing where he has come from and what he has gone through as a footballer, you can’t help but be full of admiration for what he has achieved,” Mark said.
“He is an astute thinker and great student of the game and Peter has used that to great advantage to stay on top of the opposition.
“Some times as a coach it is hard to quantify how valuable that is but I do know the players will really miss having Peter out there.”
Matthew Pavlich, who took over the captaincy from Peter, said there was no doubt that the triple Doig Medal winner is Fremantle’s greatest ever player.
“He’s our most decorated player, a fantastic leader and a champion person,” Matthew said.
“Peter took over as a captain of the club when it was at its lowest point and took us into a preliminary final.”
Describing him as strong willed and strong minded, Matthew said Peter was held in the highest regard by everyone at the club and by Fremantle’s loyal and passionate supporters.
“In almost every game I’ve played in it has been along side Peter Bell and that’s been an enormous privilege,” he said.
“You just knew that every week he would perform, no mater what the circumstances.
“It’s a big shock to think that I’ll never run out along side him again.”
Fremantle chief executive officer Cameron Schwab said Peter’s career was arguably one of football’s greatest ever stories.
Peter was born in Korea and adopted by his parents Jo and Kevin and raised in Kojonup.
“What Peter has gone on to do in life both on and off the football field is outstanding. He qualified as a lawyer while playing football at the highest level and is a dual premiership player.
“A three-time winner of the Doig Medal, Peter has always been hugely popular with our supporters and as a leader of this club he has been inspirational.
“Between 1999 and 2006 he always finished in the top two in his club’s fairest and best award and finished third in 2007.”
Cameron described Peter as a rare package.
“There were times when he simply willed himself to get out there and play, particularly in 2004 when he had osteitis pubis.
“His football and athletic ability were under rated but he combined consistency, enormous courage and great leadership to be a genuine champion of the game.”:
Career Highlights
AFL Rising Star Nominee 1996
Kangaroos Premiership sides 1996, 1999
Kangaroos Pre-Season Premiership side 1998
International Rules series 1999
All Australian 1999, 2003
Kangaroos Best & Fairest winner 2000
Kangaroos Best & Fairest runner-up 1999
Fremantle Doig Medal 2001, 2003, 2004
Fremantle Doig Medal Runner-up 2002, 2005, 2006
Fremantle Captain 2002-2006
WA State of Origin Captain 2002 (vice captain), 2003 (captain), 2004 (captain), 2005, 2006 (captain), 2007
AFL Life Member (2007)
Fremantle Football Club 150 Games and Life Membership (2007)
Games record for most games played by a Western Australian in the VFL/AFL (2008)
Supporters can send farewell messages to Peter Bell through fremantlefc.com.au with a FreoHero message!
Click here to send your support with a FreoHero message or email freohero@fremantlefc.com.au
