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AFL Trade: Fremantle footy boss Peter Bell laughs off church confession jibe by Rory Lobb’s manager

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Catherine HealeyThe West Australian
Fremantle general manager of football Peter Bell has laughed off recent criticism.
Camera IconFremantle general manager of football Peter Bell has laughed off recent criticism. Credit: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

Fremantle footy boss Peter Bell has laughed off stinging criticism from Rory Lobb’s manager, Colin Young, in his first interview since the war of words begun.

Bell had spoken about his reluctance to trade big man Lobb, who still has two years to run on a lucrative $700,000 a season deal, but quickly came under fire from Lobb’s manager on Friday.

Young said Bell was speaking “like he was at church giving confession” as trade rumours about Lobb and a return to GWS intensified.

“Normally Peter does a great job and he uses the code of silence during trade week,” Young told AFL Trade Radio.

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“I’m certainly surprised about the last few days about the honesty of Peter. It sounds like he was at church giving confession, he was so honest. It was incredible.”

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Responding to the sledge on ABC’s Grandstand on Saturday, Bell laughed off the criticism.

“It was a great line from Col, it made me laugh out loud,” the jovial Bell revealed.

Rory Lobb could have played his last game for Fremantle.
Camera IconRory Lobb could have played his last game for Fremantle. Credit: Will Russell/AFL Photos

“It made my mum a bit pleased because she always thought growing up I should have been a priest... so she’d get a kick out of that as well.

“Col’s a strong advocate for his players, as all the player managers are. I’ve got to represent what’s best for the Fremantle footy club.

“I never ever take anything personally.”

Bell confirmed the Dockers’ stance on a Lobb deal had shifted heading into the final days of the trade period.

“You never say never – particularly the way the trade period’s being conducted these days,” Bell said.

“We’re just waiting.

“Our position now is we’ll just wait and see if a trade request is made. And if a trade request is made, then we’ll work through that.”

Lobb would reportedly take a $200,000 a year pay cut to return to GWS, where he played 74 games across five seasons before arriving at the Dockers.

His potential deal won’t bring WA forward Bobby Hill home, with the young Giant officially opting for a trade to a Melbourne club to be closer to his pregnant partner’s family.

The trade period deadline ends at 4.30pm Wednesday (WST).

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