Tom Bell among eight leaders to commit to Greensborough for 2021
Greensborough has retained eight star players for 2021, including reigning Rosbrook Medal winner Tom Bell, and the ex-AFL star revealed why he turned down several rival offers to remain loyal.
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Tom Bell is staying “all in” at Greensborough.
The reigning NFL Rosbrook Medallist was one of eight Borough leaders to commit for 2021 on Wednesday night.
Bell turned down several offers from rival clubs determined to right the wrongs of grand final day 2019 when Greensborough were upset by West Preston-Lakeside.
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“It’s exciting, I think Greensborough have some unfinished business the way we finished off a couple of years ago,” he said.
“I’m pumped I’ve come to an agreement with the club and I’ll be running around for another year.
“As any ex-AFL player, your phone rings when they find out you’re out of contract or a new year rolls around.
“I like talking to clubs and seeing what they think I’m worth but at the end of the day it’s hard to go past Greensborough as a football club.
“The people down there are amazing and the relationships I built were really good and I enjoy the club as a whole.
Borough skipper Chris Clark, Nick Riddle, Matthew Haynes, Jack Johnston, Adrian Cataldo, Michael Croxford and Ben Fennell have all re-signed.
Coach Mick Harford recommitted in August and will be joined in 2021 by Neil Brindley (reserves), Rob Lamb (under-19s) and Stewie Lewis (women’s).
Bell said the announcement was a call to arms for the entire club.
“That shows the calibre of people we’ve got at the footy club, not just the leadership group but also the coaching staff and volunteers,” he said.
“I think it shows the rest of the club that we mean business for the up and coming season and the leadership group is 100 per cent committed to getting the club back to where we should be.”
With the season cancelled since June, the former Carlton and Brisbane star hasn’t slowed down.
A job in construction – one of the few industries that hasn’t stopped during Melbourne’s lockdown – and studying for a Certificate IV in construction and construction management has kept Bell occupied.
However, the desire to get back to footy is growing and rivals might see a leaner, fitter Bell in 2021.
“I’ve really taken to my running during this period, it’s given me a chance to give the body a rest from the gym and rigours of footy,” he said.
“I’ve been busy with work, I’m very fortunate that I’m at a company in construction that hasn’t really slowed down.
“I’m studying as well, so there’s been heaps keeping me busy, but I’m ready for footy to kick off again.
“It shows how much you miss the game when it’s taken away from you, you take it for granted catching up with your mates, having the competitive juices flowing through your body.”