Hailing from Victoria, Josh Kelly was taken with pick two in the 2013 AFL Draft after starring for the Sandringham Dragons, with his elite skills and penetrating kick the highlights of his game. A silky-smooth midfielder, Kelly has football in his blood, with his father Phil Kelly having played 61 games as a wingman for North Melbourne in the 1980s as well as winning two Sandover Medals in the WAFL. Kelly burst out of the blocks for the GIANTS, winning the club’s Rising Star Award in 2014 as he quickly entrenched himself as one of the team’s most important players. After being elevated to the club’s leadership group in just his fourth season, Kelly took his game to another level in 2017, named an All-Australian and taking home the Kevin Sheedy Medal to secure his first club champion award. The star onballer added another club champion to the trophy cabinet in 2021, joining Lachie Whitfield as the only two-time winners of the award at the time. Kelly was co-captain of the club in 2022 alongside Toby Greene and Stephen Coniglio and in 2023 was named vice-captain as Greene was named the new standalone skipper. Following a brilliant 2023 season, averaging 27 disposals and four clearances per game, Kelly will remain in orange and charcoal until the end of 2029 after signing a huge eight-year deal in 2021.
