KELLY ALWAYS A ‘CATS MAN’
JAMES Kelly will retire at season’s end as “a Geelong person” but forever grateful for a second chance to play for his boyhood-supported club.
The triple-premiership winner announced his retirement yesterday after a decorated career that began with his drafting in the legendary 2001 draft.
Kelly will forever be remembered for his feats in the navy hoops, helping the Cats to three flags in five seasons.
But it’s his two-season spell with the Bombers that has rejuvenated his love for the sport and made Kelly eager to become a coach.
“It’s something I really want to do and need to do,” he said.
“I feel like I can add value and I’ll be looking down the coaching path . . . hopefully I can get a job somewhere.”
Bombers boss John Worsfold said over the past two years he had seen Kelly’s passion for mentoring young players grow.
“(Last year we were) trying to make sure we were going to have some success in different ways other than how many games we were going to win — Kel made a massive role in that,” he said.
“He hadn’t made a decision to pursue a coaching path when he retired the first time from Geelong but his excitement about working with those young players has really excited him about what he can add to the game.”
Kelly said he left Geelong “pretty worn out and tired”.
“I came here and the Essendon footy club reignited my passion for the game,” he said “I’ve always considered myself a Geelong person but certainly I’ll always have a soft spot for Essendon.
“I was an Essendon fan as a kid and religiously went to Essendon games. Genuinely I can say I’ve got a foot in each camp.
“This club has certainly put me in a much better place finishing my career now. I feel really grateful for that.”
Kelly joined Essendon as a “top-up player” to cover for players serving doping bans in 2016, finishing second in the club’s best and fairest count before staying on this year.
His on-field career isn’t yet done as the Bombers are likely to play finals if they can beat Gold Coast and Fremantle in their final two home-and-away fixtures.
Kelly, 33, said he felt it was not the best thing for the club to keep playing. But he said: “I’m sure I could have.”