One of the club’s current vice captains, Kelly has cemented himself as a key piece of the GIANTS and one of the classiest midfielders in the competition ever since being selected with the second pick in the 2013 AFL Draft. A smooth and composed midfielder, originally from Victoria, Kelly made an immediate impact at the GIANTS, claiming the club’s Rising Star Award in his debut season in 2014. By his fourth season in 2017, Kelly had earned a place in the leadership group and took his game to new heights, being named an All Australian and winning the 2017 Kevin Sheedy Medal as the GIANTS club champion. He added another Kevin Sheedy Medal in 2021, joining Lachie Whitfield as the only two-time winners of the award at that point. Kelly then co-captained the club in 2022 alongside Toby Greene and Stephen Coniglio, and in 2023, he was appointed vice-captain alongside Coniglio. While missing a host of games due to a calf injury, Kelly was still at his brilliant best throughout 2024 where he averaged 24.3 disposals, 3.6 tackles, and 3.1 clearances per game combining time on the wing and as a pure midfielder. Kelly is committed to the GIANTS until at least the end of 2029 after signing a massive eight-year contract in 2021. Kelly has football in his blood, with his father Phil Kelly played 61 games as a wingman for North Melbourne in the 1980s and also winning two Sandover Medals in the WAFL.
