Green-eyed Lussick says Kelly’s just a natural

JEALOUS. That’s how Manly’s Darcy Lussick feels when he watches young talent Brian Kelly in action.

Lussick, a prop with 103 NRL games to his name, has been mightily impressed by what Kelly has produced in the months since he joined Manly from the Gold Coast.

The 20-year-old outside back from Lismore was seen as a Titans star of the future before the Sea Eagles swooped, signing him on a multi-year deal.

“He’s been great,” Lussick told the Bulletin.

“He’s pretty quiet but you can see his ability. He is just like a natural footballer and he’s been working really hard.

“Young indigenous kids coming down to Sydney, sometimes they struggle but he doesn’t seem to be struggling at all. He’s embraced it and looks like he is really enjoying being at Manly.

“Without seeing him play too many games – I saw him play the Nines and the trial (last) weekend – obviously his pace and his footwork, even his defence is good.

“So he’s got it all, which you can be a bit jealous of.”

Backline spots at Brookvale are up for grabs following the retirements of regular faces Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai and Brett Stewart and Lussick feels Kelly is ready to debut if given the chance.

“I think the coaching staff believe that he will play at some stage this year, whether it is Round 1 or Round 5 or 6 or something like that,” he said.

“There’s no real rush but I think he will get a crack at some stage.”

Lussick, a two-time NSW City representative, will miss the opening NRL rounds following wrist surgery.

He believes Manly will benefit from stability having undergone a major overhaul the previous off-season.

He said ex-Titans coach and current Sea Eagles assistant John Cartwright had been laying down the law during pre-season.

“He’s in charge of our defence this year. He’s got angry a few times at us which is good to see,” Lussick said.

Manly will be on the Coast on May 20 for a Round 11 fixture at Cbus Super Stadium.