Brian Kelly (Australian footballer)

Brian Joseph Kelly (28 July 1917 – 13 May 1985)[2] was an Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Brian Kelly
Personal information
Full name Brian Joseph Kelly
Date of birth 28 July 1917
Place of birth Elsternwick, Victoria[1]
Date of death 13 May 1985(1985-05-13) (aged 67)
Place of death Cheltenham, Victoria
Height 178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight 81 kg (179 lb)
Position(s) Defender
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1939–45 South Melbourne 92 (14)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1945.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Kelly, who played at South Melbourne during the Second World War, made his league debut in 1939. He appeared in all of South Melbourne's 18 games in 1941, one of only two players from the club to do so. As a back pocket, Kelly participated in the famous 1945 'Bloodbath' Grand Final.[3]

In 1946, Kelly coached New Town to the TANFL Grand Final, where they lost to Sandy Bay. The following season, he was chosen to coach the South against North in an intrastate match.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ "World War Two Nominal Roll". Government of Australia. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  2. ^ "Brian Kelly - Player Bio". Australian Football. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  3. ^ "Brian Kelly". AFL Tables.
  4. ^ "Brian Kelly (South Melbourne & New Town)". Full Points Footy. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011.