Fremantle Dockers great Peter Bell among candidates to take over Collingwood Magpies football manager job

Fremantle champion Peter Bell is reportedly among the final candidates to become Craig McRae’s right-hand man at Collingwood. Bell left the Dockers a year after he was replaced as the club’s head of football. The former captain has been moved into a new role at the end of 2023, replaced by Joe Brierty, taking on a new position as executive general manager of football talent, strategy and special projects. The Herald Sun is reporting Bell is in the mix to replace Graham Wright as the Magpies’ football manager, with an announcement expected in the next fortnight. Former Sydney head of football Charlie Gardiner and Adelaide list manager Justin Reid are also in the mix. Wright left the Magpies to become Carlton’s deputy chief executive. Bell said earlier this month his call to leave the Dockers was a “difficult decision, but one I feel is the right decision”. “I am extremely proud of my contribution to the club over the years as a player, board member and on the executive team, but I’m keen to explore my next challenge and allow our list managers in David Walls and Darryn Fry to lead the club at the upcoming AFL and AFLW drafts,” he said on November 1. Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick said Bell had played a “vital role” at the club. “In his time as EGM of football, he oversaw significant list transformations as well as senior coach transitions for both AFL and AFLW. He also led with aplomb during the COVID-impacted seasons and has helped put our club into the position it is today,” he said. “We are extremely grateful for Peter’s contribution and wish him, Lana and his family all the best for the future.”