One of the NRL's most gifted young players has sadly blown a promising career at the Cronulla Sharks. Albert Kelly was good enough four years ago to play halfback for the Australian schoolboys and NSW Under 18s.
He was snapped up, firstly by the Parramatta Eels and then Ricky Stuart at Cronulla, with a reputation as rugby league's next big thing.
The cousin of superstar Greg Inglis was so highly regarded that Melbourne Storm, the Wests Tigers, the Bulldogs and the Gold Coast also wanted him.
Now he is unemployed and fighting to save his career with another club.
A disappointed Sharks chairman Damian Irvine last night told The Daily Telegraph: "Albert's played his last game for the club."
It's a decision the Sharks have been reluctantly wrestling with for several weeks because of his enormous potential and knowing he had problems away from the game.
"When do you stop writing breach notices?" Irvine said.
"It's not about just sacking the kid. He's had umpteen notices when you only need three.
"It's very disappointing because Darren (Mooney) and Shane (Flanagan) put in so much work with the kid. They afforded him so much effort and time. Sadly, it doesn't always work out."
Kelly has been in trouble with police on several occasions over alcohol-related incidents since joining the Sharks from Parramatta in 2010.
The latest incident was nothing overly serious but still a breach of training and fitness guidelines.
Even his respected manager Steve Gillis parted company with him late last year after repeatedly failing in his attempts to pull him into line.
Irvine says he hopes Kelly can get his life sorted,
"Albert has got to make a decision whether he wants to play football," Irvine said.
"He's a really talented kid but unfortunately his actions indicated he didn't want to be here.
"I've taken him for coffee and to lunch just to talk and try to help him but sadly it hasn't worked out."
Kelly could not be contacted for comment yesterday.
