Former #29 - Jake Kelly

Let’s not try too hard to explain away his good form. He’s doing a fine job at the moment.

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Langford said he hates playing on this guy during training said he dosent give you an inch :smile:

Said is the type of bloke you can give a job to and he will go do it.

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Reminds me of Calthorpe or Denham back in the day. Does the job on a gun. Stays!!!

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I have never been a critic of Kelly. I’ve always thought he was a tough and courageous player. I know many didn’t share that view, especially after his concussion last year.

He finished top 10 B&F in a GF side. He can football even though he is limited.

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I love having him in the team

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I think they do too!

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This one is probably the most bipolar thread on blitz.
Not many wanted him in the best 22 at the start of the year, now he’s in great form I doubt many want him dropped.
Do people want him to make way for Ridley/Reid? Lav out for one of them and Kelly or Hep would probably be next in line but both are playing great football.

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When you play a guy in his best position he is more likely to flourish than trying to shoe horn him into a position he isn’t equiped for

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Still not convinced. Toby Green is sadly out of form, so beating him while noteworthy was not startling.

Still think Kelly is just too slow to be in the same defence as Heppell. Probably deserves a game, but when Reid and Ridley come back, he is doubtful.

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I agree, Toby has been shocking all year and Toby had 2 goals on him early until the entire teams pressure lifted in the second half helping to restrict opportunities - although he’ll keep getting games because Brad Scott absolutley loves him as plays him every chance he gets because no doubt he respects his toughness. At North he loved his Ben Jacobs, Kayne Turner types that had little in the way of skill but were hard at the contest so it’s no shock he likes Kelly.

The sun is shining when we win on Blitz, but I guarentee you when we lose he’ll be the first to cop the venom, he is a good solid small defender on his day and we have few other small/medium defenders, but his kicking and decision making is slow - even after he outmarked Toby he almost turned it over deep forward with his kick. His kicking is still dinky and high with little skill and panics a bit with the ball but defends well enough - I think he’s decent depth until we find better options but if we’re to be a serious top 4 team then he’s not in there.

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The only goal Kelly had kicked on him in the first half was a loose ball he actually won, that Cox then turned over in the goal square with a horrible handpass.

People really see what they want to see sometimes I guess.

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Absolutely disagree. This is just such a simple, throw-away line.

Players like Kelly are necessary. Not everyone can be running around getting handball receives.

He performs his role which allows others to do theirs. In a team, his type is vital. Despite his limitations.

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He’s certainly not blessed with a lot of skill, but he’s just about the best lockdown player in the league. In his 40-odd games with us he’s taken on and beaten the likes of Charlie Cameron, Papley, Weightman and Toby Greene. Selfless role players like Kelly are super important these days, and he’s doing a really good job for us this season. Absolutely deserves his spot in the 23.

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Kelly’s lack of speed is a false meme. A few weeks ago was he shown to be the fastest player on the ground, as in had the highest sprint speed.

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And one of only 2 blokes on our list that’s actually played in a grand final. Clearly not worthy of a top 4 team…

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He has risen up in my estimations this year. He’s quite easily best 22.

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We brought him over to play lock down on small fwds but we have had him spend almost as much time, if not not more, on talls and mediums and seriously entertained the idea of playing him on the wing.

It’s not really a surprise that he’s making a good contribution when played in his best role.

Certainly too McGrath rediscovering his ability to take the game on makes Kelly’s presence a most welcome one.

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Kel is contending for most improved player this season. He’s playing his role, fierce in contests and playing a more accountable brand of defensive footy. He’s doing a bunch of little things, too, that are all-too-easy to overlook … several times yesterday against North he went out of his way to apply physical blocks to free up teammates and sway contests. He’s still capable of clangers, but that’s footy and he’s serving up less of them. More please …

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You won’t be getting too many likes on here with that sort of posting!

Not here for likes. Here to contribute some observations and learn from those of others :v:

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