Kelly strikes gold on Eels debut

[Casper The Ghost]

Kelly strikes gold on Eels debut
Steve Jancetic AAPSun, Jun 24, 2012 - 4:08 PM

Luke Kelly never really wanted to leave Melbourne - but knew he'd probably have to if he wanted to progress his NRL career.

Kelly made a perfect start to life as an Eel on Saturday night, helping Parramatta to a 19-18 golden point win over Penrith sealed by halves partner Chris Sandow's extra time field goal.

Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney and skipper Nathan Hindmarsh credited Kelly's talk on the field as pivotal to the Eels revival - the 21-year-old admitting five years in the Storm system had prepared him well for the NRL.

"Being down there so long, if you didn't pick things up from guys like Coops (Cooper Cronk), Cameron Smith and Billy (Slater), you'd be a very silly person," Kelly told AAP.

"I used to just watch them at training, watch them at games, just being around those guys with their work ethic, it's no coincidence they're among the top players in the world.

"It was tough leaving - this was my fifth year there and the club has always been unreal to me.

"But everyone plays footy to play first grade and it was pretty tough (to get a game) down there.

"As tough as it was to leave all those that are close to me it was pretty easy, I wanted an opportunity."

And after one game in the NSW Cup with Wentworthville, Kelly got that chance against the Panthers at the expense of the dumped Ben Roberts.

Hindmarsh - who rediscovered his running game to spark a late comeback by the blue and golds - admitted the youngster from Katherine in the Northern Territory gave the side something they had been lacking.

"Just his talk out on the field, guiding us around," Hindmarsh said.

"We knew our roles, we knew where we had to be because he was telling us what to do.

"We haven't had that for a long time."

Link: http://www.nrl.com/kelly-strikes-gold-on-eels-debut/tabid/10874/newsid/68218/default.aspx

 

[Casper The Ghost]

As I mentioned 10 days or so ago, this young bloke will be the best player we've purchased since around 2005.

Saw him play a few times in Toyota Cup and in the 2009 GF against the Tigers and he played a blinder for the Storm that day. It was almost an 80 minute masterclass. I wished then that we got him on our books. If it wasn't for some unfortunate injuries he would have been playing in the NRL sometime during 2010 and most definately from 2011. This young bloke is the brilliant organiser we have been looking for since we lost the best of Tim Smith. There is something very special around this bloke and I look forward with great anticipation during the coming years. If he stays with our club and does not experience shocking long-term injuries that will keep him out for a whole season, he will become our captain within a few years, IF NOT SOONER. He is that good. I suggest Reni M for captain next year until he retires and then Luke Kelly to take over. Go the Eels and GO Luke Kelly.

 

[lingard]

Big wraps, Casper. Hope it pans out like that. I had big wraps on a previous young five-eight named Tom Humble. Unfortunately, he doesn`t seem to have the confidence or assertiveness of this young bloke. It was an impressive debut from Kelly. I agree, he could turn out to be very good.

 

[Tony Bongo]

I was impressed with his defense and once he settles in I can see him being terrific for us. I noticed him talking a lot but I thought I also noticed the ball going the opposite way to where he was directing things on a couple of occassions. That as well as the pass to Hayne that went astray tells me he just needs some time with his new team mates. I liked how he slotted in to dummy half with ease as well and I can't wait to see how he goes for us next week.

 

[emjaycee]

I visited Katherine in the NT in about 1997 and watched an under 6's game and saw Kelly running around. Knew he would be something special.

Just wanted to be the first to claim I knew of him before anyone else. Of course if he fails then it kearneys fault.

 

[Reel deal]

As I mentioned 10 days or so ago, this young bloke will be the best player we've purchased since around 2005.

Saw him play a few times in Toyota Cup and in the 2009 GF against the Tigers and he played a blinder for the Storm that day. It was almost an 80 minute masterclass. I wished then that we got him on our books. If it wasn't for some unfortunate injuries he would have been playing in the NRL sometime during 2010 and most definately from 2011. This young bloke is the brilliant organiser we have been looking for since we lost the best of Tim Smith. There is something very special around this bloke and I look forward with great anticipation during the coming years. If he stays with our club and does not experience shocking long-term injuries that will keep him out for a whole season, he will become our captain within a few years, IF NOT SOONER. He is that good. I suggest Reni M for captain next year until he retires and then Luke Kelly to take over. Go the Eels and GO Luke Kelly.

You were saying similar things about Jeff Robson a few years ago. That worked out well......

 

[Casper The Ghost]

You were saying similar things about Jeff Robson a few years ago. That worked out well......

Not in the same level as Luke Kelly but look at Robbo this year with the Sharks, he is one of their top three consistent players since he broke into first grade earlier this season. Without Robbo, the Sharks will flounder and without Robbo the Eels have been shocking this year - enter Luke Kelly.

 

[The EELiminator]

Without Robbo, the Sharks will flounder

dont you mean carney?

 

[True EEL]

I backed Kelly straight-up after the signing....he'll go places, the dude can play....you only have to listen to Hindy's glowing praise for the impact Kelly's blatantly obvious talk and direction in the game last night - he's a leader

 

[The EELiminator]

I backed Kelly straight-up after the signing....he'll go places, the dude can play....you only have to listen to Hindy's glowing praise for the impact Kelly's blatantly obvious talk and direction in the game last night - he's a leader

how long until kelly and sandow swap positions?

 

[Avenger]

how long until kelly and sandow swap positions?

Does it really matter if they are playing left and right side of the ruck ?

 

[Y2Eel]

how long until kelly and sandow swap positions?

They already have Kelly was closer to the ruck all game usually passing to a wider Sandow Which suits their games...

Plus with Paulo coming on playing a 5/8 role works well

 

[The EELiminator]

Does it really matter if they are playing left and right side of the ruck ?

it seems like kelly is the one taking charge out there thats traditionally a halfback's role

 

[Avenger]

it seems like kelly is the one taking charge out there thats traditionally a halfback's role

Very similar to Carney at Cronulla.

PS The first time I heard about Kelly was when Colonel mentioned it when we were searching for a 7 prior to the Sandow signing. He seems to have a cool head and is less erratic then Roberts. It is probably now time for the coaching staff to try and mould Roberts into a powerful dummy half coming from the bench.

 

[hindy111]

Roberts would make a great hooker

 

[Poupou Escobar]

how long until kelly and sandow swap positions?

You mean jerseys, right?

My guess is never. The media circus that would ensue around Sandow being named in the number six jersey wouldn't be worth it.

 

[Pooftamus Maximus]

As I mentioned 10 days or so ago, this young bloke will be the best player we've purchased since around 2005.

Saw him play a few times in Toyota Cup and in the 2009 GF against the Tigers and he played a blinder for the Storm that day. It was almost an 80 minute masterclass. I wished then that we got him on our books. If it wasn't for some unfortunate injuries he would have been playing in the NRL sometime during 2010 and most definately from 2011. This young bloke is the brilliant organiser we have been looking for since we lost the best of Tim Smith. There is something very special around this bloke and I look forward with great anticipation during the coming years. If he stays with our club and does not experience shocking long-term injuries that will keep him out for a whole season, he will become our captain within a few years, IF NOT SOONER. He is that good. I suggest Reni M for captain next year until he retires and then Luke Kelly to take over. Go the Eels and GO Luke Kelly.

And how many Dally M's Casper. Geez, I diagnose you with a severe case of man crush.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Does it really matter if they are playing left and right side of the ruck ?

Kelly played in the middle last night.

 

[Avenger]

Kelly played in the middle last night.

When Keating went off or the whole game?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Roberts would make a great hooker

I agree he looks like he has all the skills needed to be a great dummy half, but it's a fact that he has never worn the number nine jersey in his 100+ games in first grade. In the games I've seen him come off the bench he has always played in the halves, with a bit of edge forward when Ben Barba was being brought into first grade.

There would be a reason none of his previous coaches have used him at hooker.