Craig Kelly (footballer)

Craig Kelly
Personal information
Date of birth	(1966-06-16) 16 June 1966
Original team(s)	Norwood (SANFL)
Height/Weight	190cm / 100kg
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1989—1996	Collingwood	122 (43)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1996 season.
Career highlights
1990 premiership side

Craig Kelly is a former Australian rules football player with Collingwood Football Club and is now a successful player manager. He is the grandson of famous free marketeer and former Government Minister, C.R. "Bert" Kelly.

Pre VFL/AFL

Kelly began playing top level football with the Norwood Football Club in the SANFL. He was drafted to Collingwood in the 1986 National draft, as pick no. 34

Collingwood

Kelly made his debut in 1989 and became a tough defender. He played a crucial role in the low scoring 1990 Grand Final, which Collingwood went on to win.

The barrell chested Kelly was known for being a tough and hot headed footballer. He had many appearances to the tribunal for rough play. One incident occurred in 1992 when playing against Sydney, Kelly charged at Sydney's Ben Doolan, causing many of Doolan's teeth to fall out.

Craig Kelly is also famous for pinching opposition players to niggle them such as Richmond's Stephen Jurica, Hawthorn's Jason Dunstall and Geelong duo David Mensch and Gary Ablett, which Ablett stated in his new biography (2007).

Kelly retired after Collingwood's final match of the 1996 season, a round 22 win against the Brisbane Bears, along with Alan Richardson.

Business

After his retirement, Craig founded Elite Sports Properties with Rob Woodhouse. The company deals mainly with sports management and marketing. Kelly is a player manager to many top current AFL stars.

Coaching

Craig Kelly is the current Coach of the Mansfield Eagles in the Goulburn Valley Football League and coached them to the GV premiership in 2009. He has also played some games for the club.

References

• Elite Sports
• Mansfield Eagles VCFL Website
• The Eagles Nest (Official Mansfield Football and Netball Club Website)