Australian Football

AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game

 

Key Facts

Full name
Jack Kelly

Known as
Jack Kelly

Born
15 July 1916

Died
23 June 1971 (aged 54)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 20y 283d
Last game: 28y 21d

Height and weight
Height: 174 cm
Weight: 69 kg

Senior clubs
St. Kilda

Jumper numbers
St. Kilda: 22, 7, 1

Jack Kelly

ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
St. KildaV/AFL1937-1942, 194489330.3742%15.802.4019
Total1937-1942, 194489330.3742%15.802.4019

Pre 1965 stats are for selected matches only

AFL: 4,456th player to appear, 2,723rd most games played, 2,767th most goals kickedSt. Kilda: 732nd player to appear, 160th most games played, 193rd most goals kicked

Given that he was a successful professional sprinter in addition to a footballer it is not surprising that Jack Kelly played most of his 89 VFL games for St Kilda as a wingman, nor that he was regarded as one of the fastest players of his day. He commenced with the Saints in 1937, and made the VFL interstate team the same year. Military service curtailed his appearances during World War II at a time when he might have been expected to produce his best football. After missing the entire 1943 season he made a brief resumption the following year before retiring.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Footy Publications

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.