Rugby League: Bell's mission to leave Wigan on a high note

The forgotten man of Super League is relishing the chance to silence his critics tonight. By Dave Hadfield

IF HE was that way inclined, Mark Bell would be a rather bitter, disillusioned figure in the Wigan changing room.

The Australian winger, who plays against Leeds tonight in arguably the most important match of the Super League season so far, has already been told that he is not wanted next season.

But if he is playing out time at the club, he is determined to do so with some style. Apart from anything else, that will help him to find a club for next season and stay in a country where he has felt thoroughly at home.

"I'm not disappointed," he insists. "That's rugby league. It's the club's decision and it's fine by me. I've really enjoyed my time at Wigan. I came here hoping to play at Wembley and to reach a Grand Final. We lost at Wembley, but we're on course for the Grand Final. Whatever happens now, it's still been a good year."

Bell is no stranger to Grand Finals. He was a substitute in two for his home-town club, Canberra, before playing alongside Mal Meninga in the centres against Penrith in 1991. Five years later, he shared in the big day again, this time with St George. It was that sort of pedigree that persuaded John Monie to bring him to Wigan this year, but Bell has taken time to win over the club's demanding supporters.

"It was always going to be hard, because everyone's an expert," he says. "It's a completely different way of playing here, compared with the way I've been playing for the last 10 years in Australia. Plus you have to get used to the players inside you and that doesn't happen overnight."

Bell's position at Central Park has never exactly been secure. When Wigan jumped the gun by announcing the signing of Wendell Sailor in a high- profile deal that was later scuppered, it was assumed that Bell would be the man to make way for him.

Further whispers from the Wigan rumour-mill suggested that he was not far from being packed off home, possibly with a face-saving injury story as cover for all concerned.

Finally, when Monie had secured the services of two other Australians, Greg Florimo and Brett Goldspink, it was confirmed that the forgotten man of Central Park would not be back in 1999.

Ironically, Bell's form since then would satisfy the most vociferous of critics. Any positional glitches appear to have been ironed out and he has taken his try-scoring tally for the season to 11. His eight in Super League put him ahead of his opposite winger, Jason Robinson, and include a particularly well-taken and important brace against London two weeks ago.

Bell is not the sort to beat his own drum, but he says: "My form over the last few weeks has been absolutely sensational." Perhaps, like Henry Paul, he thrives on what others would interpret as rejection. Uncertainty over his future agrees with him.

One certainty, however, is that he wants his immediate future to be in England. His wife is originally from Coventry, with family in Ireland, and the ties they have discovered here make them keen to extend their stay.

That is why Bell has sent out his CV to other Super League clubs. It is a good advertisement, including a season as the Winfield Cup's leading try- scorer with Wests as well as his Grand Finals with Canberra and St George, but he knows that his real shop window is in matches such as tonight's. "I want to stay, if I'm fortunate enough to find another club, and matches like this are my best opportunity," he said.

It is hard to imagine Bell not getting another offer. If not, he would not be devastated, because he is a player with a hinterland.

One of the myths about Australian rugby league is that all its players are full-time, but until arriving in Wigan, Bell, like his fellow-countryman, Robbie McCormack, had always had another job.

In his case, that has consisted for the last three years, of working with Aboriginal children in Sydney. As an Aborigine himself, Bell has been involved in programmes, including drug rehabilitation, aimed at keeping some troubled youngsters on the rails.

"It's a demanding job, but a very satisfying one," he said. "If it works out that I go back to that after this season, I'll be quite happy with that."