The classy midfielder’s fourth season in blue and gold was simply outstanding, with Kelly rising above the challenges of a difficult 2023 for the team by performing at a high level week after week. He was a deserving, runaway winner of the John Worsfold Medal – his first AFL Club Champion gong after near misses as a two-time runner-up at Geelong and a third-placed finish at West Coast in 2022. Kelly averaged career-bests for disposals (28.2), clearances (5.9) and tackles (4.7) and was a consistent presence, playing all-but one game. A star of the competition, the silky-smooth 2019 All-Australian is regularly the No.1 target for opposition teams planning against the Eagles and will lead an exciting young midfield brigade into the 2024 campaign.
At a glance: Junior clubs: Palmyra (WA). Debut: Round 1, 2019 (Geelong), Round 1, 2020 (West Coast). Recruited from: South Fremantle (WA)/Geelong (VIC). Brownlow votes: 72.
