In the lead up to the 2017 NAB AFL Draft being held in Sydney, we’re taking a look back at some of the GIANTS Then and Now ahead of the next batch walking into the club.
Josh Kelly
Pick 2, 2013 NAB AFL Draft
Pre-Draft: “Over the past two seasons Kelly has proved himself to be a professional, damaging, classy midfielder right at the top end of this draft. A brilliant left-foot kick and an extraordinary runner” – Callum Twomey, AFL.com.au
“Is it too big a call to say he's a future Brownlow medallist? Some recruiters think not. Elite kick on both sides who runs all day.” – Jay Clark and Sam Landsberger, Herald Sun
The day he walked into the club
“He knew what he wanted, he was very driven and he was a smart young fella. He was quiet to start with. His first week, you wouldn’t have known he was here.
"He probably took a little bit of time to feel settled but it wasn’t longer than a month or two into pre-season training and he was training with the big dogs and feeling like he’s part of the place.” - Brett Hand, GIANTS Head of Development and Welfare.
Post-Draft: The pre-draft assessments could not have been more correct. Now 22, Kelly has developed into one of the most damaging midfielders in the competition.
A career-best 2017 season saw him claim his first Kevin Sheedy Medal, break the GIANTS’ record for most disposals in a game (43 in round 22) and poll the most Brownlow Medal by a GIANTS player in a season (21).
Witness dreams become reality by registering to attend the 2017 NAB AFL Draft at Sydney Showgrounds on Friday November 24. Click here to register for FREE tickets.
