Never be satisfied advises Kelly Sr
Dual Sandover medallist Phil Kelly had one piece of advice for his son that stuck above all else - don't get complacent.
It has taken just two AFL matches for Josh Kelly to earn an NAB AFL Rising Star nomination and soar to the top of betting to be named the league's outstanding young player for 2014.
But the 18-year-old Greater Western Sydney midfielder can still hear the words of his father ringing in his ears, telling him to never stop working on his game and not to get carried away with external praise.
Kelly Sr won successive Sand- over medals in 1978-79 as a star wingman and played 61 games in five seasons for North Melbourne, but his brilliant left-footed play shaded the fact that he wasn't so good on his right side.
"Something he's always said to me is never be complacent, always look to improve," Kelly said.
"Right from a young age, dad's always been there to help me improve as a player. He'd always look over my games and go over areas of strengths and weaknesses in certain games.
"From a young age, dad had me kicking off the right (foot). I think that comes down to him never being able to use it. I'm a natural leftie.
"Just having him there has been really good to bounce ideas off. Now he just says 'enjoy footy and enjoy doing what you're doing'. It's pretty surreal to be playing AFL."
Kelly's rise to prominence has been rapid. Last year's No.2 draft pick gathered 11 possessions on debut in round two in little more than a quarter of football after coming on as the substitute.
In the nine days since, he has re-signed until the end of 2017 with Greater Western Sydney and received his Rising Star nod following last Sunday's win over Melbourne.
Kelly has been named on a half-forward flank for this afternoon's match against the Western Bulldogs at StarTrack Oval in Canberra as the Giants attempt to win three matches in a season for the first time.
He said he would be concentrating on just holding his spot.
"The biggest goal for me is to keep my body right and keep training hard during the week," he said.
