"We had to make the best of that situation, given he's a great player, in addressing some of the needs on our list. "Once he had made his mind up, it was our duty to parlay that into the best possible outcome for Fremantle and I think with Rory Lobb and Jesse Hogan coming in, two big key forwards, and then some midfield depth in Reece Conca and Travis Colyer, who brings speed and endurance and experience into the group, I think we've done quite well. "But it's up to the players now and the coaching staff to get them out on the field and performing." Bell couldn't elaborate on exactly why Neale chose to leave but stressed there was no ill feeling between the dual Doig Medallist and the club. He even revealed Lyon and several Dockers were attending Neale's buck's party on Tuesday afternoon.

"It was more about the excitement for him of going to Brisbane... it's a huge opportunity for him, Brisbane did a good job of wooing him up there," Bell said. "I think he's about to get married as well ... in fact I heard that the coach and a couple of the other players are heading to his buck's show shortly so he leaves on good terms. "Having said that, we are disappointed to lose him. He's a quality player, just so durable as well in his ability to play injured, so Brisbane have done well there." Bell revealed key signing Hogan, who has kicked 152 goals in 71 games for Melbourne, had already progressed well from his debilitating navicular injury that cut short the forward's spectacular season with the Demons in 2018. "On field he's achieved a lot in a relatively short period of time in the AFL ... the challenge for Jesse is to rehabilitate that navicular injury, it's a tough injury ... it has caused careers to be finished," Bell said.

"We're pleased with the progress that he's making. He's out of the moon boot... I think he was in the gymnasium this morning actually, so he's been terrific in the time he's been involved with our footy club. Loading "We just see him as a player with great flexibility. He's got a huge tank. This year he kicked 47 goals in 20 games but he spent a proportion of that time in the midfield as well, so he'll command the footy. "But all we're asking him to do really is to play his role and be a focal point up there in the forward line. "Rory Lobb will help him out, Brennan Cox made some inroads this season as well.

"We've got a bit of depth there for the first time in a while as far as tall forwards are concerned ... Cam McCarthy as well, we think Matt Taberner can replicate the form he showed this year, we've got a couple of young guys coming through as well. "So, for the first time in a while, we've got a bit of depth there but again that's on paper, they need to get out, do a full preseason and then perform in season 2019." Much of that performance will come down to captain Nat Fyfe, Lyon and his coaching staff extracting the best out of the player group. When questioned about an article published on WAtoday on Monday that highlighted Lyon was the second most unpopular coach with his club's supporters across the league, Bell said his relationship with the embattled coach was going okay. "I found Ross to be brilliant... it's only been a couple of weeks obviously. We've had a number of earnest discussions about what the football department will look like and how the team will be shaping up. The coaches return on October 29. It's been terrific so far, to be honest," Bell said.

"Look I saw those surveys [on popular AFL coaches] ... winning changes a lot of things. It's been a tough phase for Fremantle, we've changed a lot of players." The Dockers have turned over close to 30 players since they last played finals, at the end of 2015, and Bell said the club would aim to be more consistent across the 23-game season in 2019. "We just want to be really consistent, I think on the road particularly, and within games," he said. "If we can be more consistent then hopefully the wins will come with that, and with the personnel we have added, we've got the opportunity there but we've got to work hard. "Ross is a big boy ... I'm sure that with wins those kind of things [popularity] will look after themselves."

The 42-year-old said he was thrilled to see former Kangaroos premiership teammate Adam Simpson hoist the AFL Premiership Cup at the MCG on the last Saturday in September. West Coast coach Adam Simpson with Fremantle football boss Peter Bell in their North Melbourne days. Credit:Ray Kennedy "I was thrilled for Adam and I thought West Coast were just brilliant through the year, with the injuries that they had and the players that they missed," said Bell, who played 123 games with the Roos. "It was a brilliant performance by them ... Collingwood were gallant as well. So it was a great grand final and I'll never forget that kick from Dom Sheed at the end ... just as straight as you would ever hope your kick could be so, well done to the Eagles." The new football boss had one final message for long-suffering Freo fans: "We'll be doing everything we can, working as hard as we possibly can and we've got some terrific young talent in there.