After two seasons at the Essendon Football Club, James Kelly has announced he will retire at the end of the 2017 season.
The triple Premiership player and All-Australian announced his decision to the playing group on the training track this morning.
To watch the moment Kelly told his teammates, click here.
While he was able to achieve the ultimate success at Geelong, Kelly said his time at Essendon was fulfilling.
“I feel fortunate I’ve been able to come this far in my career and played with two great clubs, and had a lot of success at one,” Kelly said.
“I’m eternally grateful that I’ve been able to experience the highs and lows of footy, and be a part of two really unique groups of people and players.
“The two clubs have been really good for me in different respects.
“I finished my career at Geelong with a lot of success but I was pretty worn out and tired. When I came to Essendon, the club reignited my passion for the game.
“That was directly related to Woosha and the players. That’s the real strength of a football club, the guys you play with and the guys you work with.
“I’m in a much better place finishing my career now and I’m really grateful for that.
“Thank you to everyone that I’ve played with over my career and everyone who has coached me.”
Kelly played 273 games for the Cats before resuming his career at Essendon at the beginning of 2016.
The decorated veteran quickly became an integral part of the side, and finished runner up in the Bombers Best and Fairest.
This season he added another milestone to his long list of accolades, playing game 300 against Geelong in Round 8.
CEO, Xavier Campbell, said Kelly’s impact in such a short period of time was significant.
“James has had an incredible AFL career, he came from a hugely successful Club and we thank him for all that he has done since arriving at Essendon during an incredibly challenging period,” Campbell said.
“To have a triple premiership player come to the Club and impart his knowledge and experience on the group has helped fast track the development of our younger players.
“It was brilliant that James got to live out his boyhood dream and don the sash for Essendon. He will always be part of our fabric, and on behalf of everyone at the Club I wish him and his family the very best for the future.”
Senior Coach, John Worsfold, says Kelly has been an incredible mentor and player during his time at Essendon.
“James has had an impressive AFL career, he’s been a wonderful player and been able to achieve the ultimate success with Geelong on three occasions,” Worsfold said.
“He has had a huge role in guiding and mentoring our young playing group over the past two years, and shared priceless knowledge and his thoughts on how we can improve both from a preparation and performance perspective.
“To walk away with three premiership medals and more than 300 games to his name, is an enormous achievement, and we’re all better for having him at the Club.”
To view James’ official player profile, click here.
