GIANTS AcademyGIANTS AcademyKey Defender

#41

Cooper Bell

height: 199cm

weight:

D.O.B: 30-11-2006

Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Boys

  • Snapshot
  • Analysis
  • Summary

SNAPSHOT: “A key position prospect with significant upside, backed by his exciting athletic profile and the ability to play at either end of the ground.” – Michael Alvaro

Cooper Bell is yet another tall out of the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Academy looking to earn a berth in the big leagues. The 198cm swingman has long been on the radar as a tall with great speed and an aptitude in each key position post. He has plied his trade all over the ground across numerous levels; including the AFL Canberra system, Coates Talent League, junior National Championships, and VFL.

Hailing from Flynn in the ACT’s Belconnen district, Bell has long been a feature of the Giants Academy. He was named his side’s MVP at the 2022 Under 16 championships, and went on to be a mainstay throughout the last two CTL campaigns – playing in all of a possible eight games. Bell’s representative duties extended to the NSW-ACT outfit and Allies squad, where he would compete against the best of his peers.

In the meantime, Bell also showed his wares against senior opposition. He made his debut for Belconnen Magpies in the AFL Canberra First Grade last year, making 10 appearances, before returning to the fold for six games in 2024. His first outing at the level this season yielded seven goals. Bell later earned a VFL call-up with the Giants, playing his first of three games between Rounds 19-21 against the Box Hill Hawks.

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS:

STRENGTHS:

+ Athleticism
+ Competitiveness
+ Physicality
+ Speed
+ Upside
+ Versatility

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Production
- Rawness

Bell's athletic gifts are at the core of why he projects as having so much upside. At 199cm, his speed and ability to cover ground make him a difficult matchup at both ends of the ground. Up forward, he leads defenders to the ball on charging leads, while down back he is capable of closing in on the aerial contest and swooping on ground balls. He clocked in at 2.925 seconds in the preseason 20m sprint, and puts such prowess to good use on-field.

While his conditioning can further improve in an elite environment, Bell has quite a strong frame and exhibits raw power in his play. The way he attacks the ball and can barrel through the contest is impressive, while it also holds him in good stead one-on-one. Such physicality also serves him well on the occasion he chops out in the ruck, given he ticks the box for size, athleticism, and competitiveness. Such versatility makes up the other half of his upside.

Bell settled down back for the Allies, often taking on tough tall matchups and doing his best to lock down opponents. He started up forward for the Giants Academy - kicking a goal per game - while also booting 15 goals in six games for Belconnen's senior outfit this year, including a bag of seven. He had even hinted at gaining exposure as a tall midfielder in preseason, and clearly his traits applicable to whichever role is required for the team.

For all his potential, Bell still has plenty of development left in him. He is a low-production type, averaging single-digit disposals and under three marks per game at the highest levels. He is capable of eye-catching passages or moments but will have to built up his endurance base to have a more sustained, four-quarter impact. There is also an element of rawness to Bell's game. He can still improve some of his craft and ball use under pressure, though has a clean set of hands.

DRAFT RANGE: Late/Rookie

SUMMARY:

In a draft littered with midfield talent, the Giants Academy has produced a couple of talls with good upside. Bell is one of them, and clearly stood out to recruiters of all 18 clubs given his National Draft Combine invite, despite being tied to GWS. That alignment is no guarantee, though that is not to say the 199cm prospect won’t be heavily considered to remain in charcoal and orange. He is a long-term project player whose athleticism suits modern day football. Other key position players with similar profiles are arguably a little further along with greater exposed form, so expect Bell to be available late in the piece, or perhaps even as a rookie pick for the Giants.

AFL U18 Championships

SeasonTeamKHBDMCPUPTHOCLRI50R50GLGMKHDMHOTGDC
2024Allies13132610821101109043.33.36.52.50.32.50.027
Total-13132610821101109043.33.36.52.50.32.50.027

Coates Talent League Boys

SeasonTeamKHBDMCPUPTHOCLRI50R50GLGMKHDMHOTGDC
2023GIANTS Academy132235720612009052.64.47.01.42.41.20.025
2024GIANTS Academy171128700712064335.73.79.32.34.02.31.047
Total-303363142013240613383.84.17.91.83.01.60.472
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