Carlton midfielder Tom Bell has joined the growing number of younger Blues to recommit to the Club this season. 

Bell has signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at Carlton until at least the end of 2016. 

The 23-year-old Queenslander has played 23 AFL games since being recruited to Carlton with pick No. 11 in the 2011 Rookie Draft. 

In 2012, Bell was named Carlton’s Best First Year Player and last year was upgraded to the Club’s primary list. 

Carlton’s Football Operations Manager Andrew McKay says Bell offers the Blues depth in the midfield. 

“Tom’s a big bodied midfielder with good leg speed who can really help out the likes of Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs in that midfield area,” McKay said. 

“Right now he’s still in the developing stage. He was drafted as a rookie from Queensland and is a very raw footballer with some raw talent.

“But we’re confident that Tom will play a really important role for us going forward, and I’m sure he’s going to turn into a very good player.” 

Bell follows teammates Marc Murphy, Kade Simpson, Michael Jamison, Andrew Walker, Bryce Gibbs, Dylan Buckley and Chris Yarran in re-signing with Carlton this season. 

Tom Bell’s Stats

DOB: 13 June 1991

Debut: Round 17, 2012 v Western Bulldogs

Games: 23

Goals: 13

Guernsey No: 28

Carlton Player No: 1139

2012 Carlton Best First Year Player