Adelaide Crows deep in negotiations to re-sign out-of-contract defender Jake Kelly
The manager of out-of-contract Crows defender Jake Kelly says contract talks to stay at Adelaide are “progressing nicely” and it’s possible he may re-sign in the next few weeks.
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Adelaide is deep in negotiations to re-sign out-of-contract defender Jake Kelly.
Kelly, 24, is keen to stay with the Crows and he and his manager Adam Ramanauskas have been in discussions with the club since midway through the season.
Recruited from Oakleigh Chargers with pick 40 at the 2014 rookie draft, Kelly has played 75 games, including all 22 this season.
He increased his ranking-point average from 67.3 to 74 in 2019, rating elite for spoils and above-average for intercept and contested marks, intercept possessions and kicking efficiency.
Ramanauskas told The Advertiser “things are progressing nicely” with discussions to re-sign and “hopefully we get something done in the next week or two”.
“Jake and I have been talking all year about what he wants to do – it hasn’t taken any longer than expected,” Ramanauskas said.
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“We’re getting there so we’ll see what the next week or two brings.”
The push to re-sign Kelly – the son of Collingwood premiership defender Craig Kelly – has flown under the radar this season while discussions hav centred on the futures of fellow out-of-contract Crows Sam Jacobs, Hugh Greenwood and Alex Keath.
Last year the Magpies were linked with Kelly, who they overlooked as a father-son player in 2013.
Ramanauskas said Kelly had wanted to be comfortable in Adelaide and feel as though he was a permanent fixture in the Crows line-up before pushing ahead with contract negotiations.
“Any player that’s playing interstate needs to be sure they’re happy where they are,” he said.
Adelaide’s other out-of-contract players include Cameron Ellis-Yolmen, Riley Knight and David Mackay.
The Crows have already announced Richard Douglas will not be getting a contract for 2020, while Andy Otten has retired.