Josh Kelly from the Greater Western Sydney Giants is the Round Three NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.
Playing in just his second AFL match, Josh showed class and composure in difficult conditions in the Giants’ 32-point win over Melbourne at Spotless Stadium on Sunday. He kicked two goals in the final quarter and finished with 17 possessions.
The 19-year-old played in the midfield and showed a willingness to tackle and contest against his experienced opponents.
Josh Kelly is available for interview upon request
Tuesday April 8 at the Learning Life Centre, Sydney Olympic Park
Please contact Leigh Meyrick: 0407 407 830
Giants coach Leon Cameron said Josh handled the difficult conditions well.
“Josh had a great pre-season and we were really happy with his debut in Round Two, but he stepped up again this week against Melbourne,” Cameron said.
“He’s a very talent young player but as good as his couple of goals were, his contested possessions and his willingness to tackle has really stood out to the coaches and the playing group."
Josh was selection two in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft. He was recruited from the East Brighton Vampires Junior Football Club, where he started at NAB AFL Auskick, and the Sandringham Dragons in south-eastern Melbourne.
He represented Vic Metro in the 2012 and 2013 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and was named an Under-18 All-Australian in 2013. He excelled at the 2023 NAB AFL Draft Combine winning the three-kilometre time trial.
Josh is a graduate of the AFL National Academies and was a joint winner of the 2013 Ben Mitchell Medal. He is the son of former North Melbourne midfielder Phil Kelly who joined the Kangaroos after winning two Sandover Medals and a WAFL premiership for East Perth.
Following each round of the home and away season, a panel of judges will select a NAB AFL Rising Star nominee. At the completion of the season, one of these nominees will be chosen as the 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star.
The 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star winner will be awarded the Ron Evans Medal and a $20,000 personal investment folio and a dedicated personal banker, courtesy of NAB.
NAB continues to grow the game by recognising the junior clubs that helped foster the early careers of the nominated players. Each of the 23 clubs will receive a NAB Club Recognition Award valued at $2,500, comprising financial and practical resources. Since supporting the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, NAB has donated over $660,000 worth of resources to junior football clubs through this initiative.
The NAB AFL Rising Star is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.
NAB has been Footifying Australia since 2002 through the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program which comprises the following elements:
- NAB AFL Rising Star
- NAB AFL Draft
- NAB AFL Draft Combine
- NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
- AFL National Academies
- NAB AFL Under-16 Championships
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