James Kelly

[cat in sydney]

I'm not sure what other people have been thinking, but I've been more and more impressed with Kelly each game over the past couple of weeks.
In fact, I think his game yesterday, while getting heaps less possessions than against Freo, was a far better game from him.
Against Freo, I couldn't understand why everyone was giving him BOG votes, given the amount of times he had easy kicks under no pressure that he gave straight to the opposition. he got lots of the footy, and tackled hard, but it was almost a record number of clangers.
However, yesterday, his foot skills were more like what he was recruited for. Not as many possessions, but some of his passes were lace-out, and therefore I think his game yesterday was far more effective than his game against Freo.

Thoughts?

 

[Partridge]

I'm not sure what other people have been thinking, but I've been more and more impressed with Kelly each game over the past couple of weeks.
In fact, I think his game yesterday, while getting heaps less possessions than against Freo, was a far better game from him.

Thoughts?

I haven't seen the Freo game so I can't comment on that, but what I've noticed the last 2 weeks is a more desperate and committed James Kelly than I can ever remember. He's actually running guys down from behind and burying them in tackles, which he simply was not doing. Thought his ball use was pretty good, and he showed very good intelligence at times - clearing a path for a better placed player instead of being greedy, shepherding etc. In my view it's the best he'd played for a long, long time.

I'm hoping that if he keeps doing the hard things (as he is) then gradually the possessions will increase and with them the quality of disposal.

He's earning his spot at the moment now though. For sure.

 

[Xcat]

I feel this is when Kelly is most effective - Running through the midfield, getting under the opposition's guard and using the ball effectively by foot delivering into the F50.
It was a game where you didn't notice him out there at all until some of his pinpoint passes. That one to Varcoe on the lead was pure class.
I love his hard tackling as well. He could be an option as a run with player after Ling and Rooke.

 

[thegerman]

Kelly has been fantastic, it was unfortunate that he missed the start of the season which he was sorely missed.

I really think he has learned his lesson from last year, possibly through action taken against SJ, that footy isn't just there, you have to earn it at this club.

That is why I love the action taken by the club, it shows that no-one is above the actions set by all, if you stuff up, you will learn the hard way. It really was a positive stance that was taken, ensuring that all players learned from it.

Kelly has come into the season under a cloud, he worked extremely hard during the pre-season, showing some great form in the NAB cub. He has brought this into the season proper, and what a great example he is setting.

I am impressed, as along with Jnr, Chappy, Stokes, SJ, Varcoe and anyone else in forward line, he is showing that he can play there, and also run with the ball. Love the use of him on the half forward line too, means he can deliver it to the forwards when roaming in the centre.

 

[azyboy]

Certainly doing the little things on a more consistent basis...also looks harder and seems to have rediscovered the pace he lost following injury (broken leg?)

 

[sarah.13]

Like Wojcinski,Kelly has finally fully recovered from his injuries,regained fitness and confidence and we are now reaping the rewards.
There was never any doubts about his talent,more to do with his attitude and application.
The administrative,leadership and fitness changes that were taken after the Review last year have all achieved positive results.
The most rewarding of these has been the re-emergence of Kelly,Wojcinski and S.Johnson who for one reason or another have got their careers back on track.These three are all class players who will put us in the position of having a real crack at the flag this year.
Well done GFC.

 

[Asty]

Like Wojcinski,Kelly has finally fully recovered from his injuries,regained fitness and confidence and we are now reaping the rewards.
There was never any doubts about his talent,more to do with his attitude and application.
The administrative,leadership and fitness changes that were taken after the Review last year have all achieved positive results.
The most rewarding of these has been the re-emergence of Kelly,Wojcinski and S.Johnson who for one reason or another have got their careers back on track.These three are all class players who will put us in the position of having a real crack at the flag this year.
Well done GFC.

I wonder how much the new fitness guy from adelaide has aided woj and kelly in getting confidence back in their legs. and even in helping SJ drop the kilos?

 

[Solstice Raver]

I wonder how much the new fitness guy from adelaide has aided woj and kelly in getting confidence back in their legs. and even in helping SJ drop the kilos?

I have no doubt that "the fitness guy from Adelaide" is the best recruit of the year. The difference in our fitness and hardness is amazing compared to last year. A big slice in the overall improvement pie.

 

[peter_ford]

I have no doubt that "the fitness guy from Adelaide" is the best recruit of the year. The difference in our fitness and hardness is amazing compared to last year. A big slice in the overall improvement pie.

+1 we were out of gas by round 6 last year. thank god we didn't win the pre-season cup again.

 

[Brasil2007]

Skills are streets ahead and he looks the part of an AFL player now.