“Every problem is an opportunity in disguise,” at least according to John Adams, the second President of the United States.

It’s an old quote that is proving to be true this year for a talented group of youngsters at the Swans, as the long injury list the club has suffered from for most of the season means there have been more spots available in the senior side.

James Bell, who was part of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy and was pre-selected as a Category B rookie ahead of the 2017 AFL Rookie Draft, is one player to claim a game, playing his match of the season and third in his career in the seven-point victory over Hawthorn last weekend.

“There are a lot of boys that don’t get many opportunities to play games and prove themselves. This might be their only chance,” Bell said.

The 21-year-old has noticed a significant lift in intensity at training this year, and puts it down to places opening up in the firsts, as well as there being less opportunity to impress when outside of the team and playing in occasional scratch matches.

“There has been a constant reminder from a few of the leaders, to train the way you play and train at a high intensity,” he said.

“If you train at that high intensity, it’s going to come naturally during a game.”

The pacey mid-forward has little trouble attacking the ball with the required intensity. He is often reminded by assistant coach Stevie Johnson that his role includes bringing pressure in the forward half, but Bell has also shown, at least in the NEAFL, that he can kick a long goal too.

Bell celebrated his first AFL goal, in a 53-point victory over Melbourne late last season, with an Indigenous dance at the MCG.

“It was just to pay respect to my family, who are up and down the coast of New South Wales,” he said.

The 183cm Bell hopes he can pull out a similar celebration and already has “something up my sleeve” if he kicks a goal in the Sir Doug Nicholls Round, whether that next takes place later this year or in 2021.

The lifelong Swans fan has even been giving some celebration tips to a teammate who kicked a special first goal with a snap over his left shoulder in the win over Hawthorn last weekend.

“Elijah [Taylor] spoke to me all week, saying that if he got a goal he was going to do something similar, but I think he got caught up in the moment,” Bell said.

“Elijah is my housemate, we get along pretty well and have that connection.”

Bell is noticeably proud of his Indigenous heritage and that he is from Shellharbour, which is about 100km south of the Sydney Cricket Ground.

“My dad’s side is Aboriginal, my mum’s side is Scottish, so I’ve got a different mix there,” he said.

“My Aboriginal heritage is from the south coast [of NSW] all the way up to Kempsey and the Bellbrook area.

Bell added that playing in the AFL’s Indigenous round would “be right up there as a career highlight for me”.

This week he gets that opportunity, and we look forward to seeing what celebration he has lined up for when he kicks a goal on that day.