Albert Kelly made a pledge to return to Australia and make the Indigenous All-Stars after grandfather’s moving last words

Albert Kelly was away from the NRL spotlight for almost eight years but his grandfather’s dying words stirred a revival in him to make the Indigenous All-Stars. Here’s what he said.

Brisbane Broncos player Albert Kelly is a member of the Indigenous All Stars Team - Digital image by Grant Trouville © NRL Photos

As Albert Kelly sat in front of his grandfather who was preparing to take his last breath, he made a pledge to fulfil his dying wish.

The 30-year old had returned to Australia on holiday after finishing his third season with Hull FC in the UK.

Albert Kelly’s grandfather was an inspiration to him and his final words ring in his ear

There would be no beach getaways or parties; he was preparing for the last moments of the man who raised him.

As he pulls on his Indigenous jersey to take part in Saturday’s All-Stars match, Kelly knows he wouldn’t be there if he wasn’t present to hear his grandfather, Lewis Kelly’s last words.

“You need to come home … You need to come home”.

The moment he heard those words he felt a rush of homesickness come over him.

“They were the last words he said to me; he also said I had more heart than any other bloke playing (in the NRL),” he said.

“After that I really wanted to come home, I just really wanted to come home.”

His grandfather passed away in Nambucca Heads not long after he returned and it was a barbecue with league rising star David Fifita and Rob Lui back in the UK where he let it all out.

Albert Kelly showed promise as a youngster and was a training player for the 2010 Indigenous All-Stars side

“I was really down at the time, I wasn’t playing that much footy and I was a bit lost. I said to them ‘boys you are the first ones I will tell that I’m leaving to come home’,” he said.

“The tears started coming, we were all tearing up”.

It was there he made the pledge to return to Australia in honour of his grandfather.

“I’m going to go home and give it one last crack and I’m going to make the All-Stars.”

Albert Kelly’s debut for the All-Stars is 14 years in the making

Fast forward almost 12 months and Kelly is into his second season at the Brisbane Broncos after coach Kevin Walters gave him a shot at redemption.

A few weeks ago, when the phone call came through that he had been selected for the All-Stars, Kelly could hardly believe that the toil and heartache had all been worth it.

“I rang David (Fifita) and he was crying he said ‘brother you’ve made it!’.

On Saturday, he will have waited 14 years to get his shot at a dream he has had since he was a teenager.

He won’t only be representing his history and culture, he will be shadowed by his grandfather, the man who raised him and the man who set him on his path back home.

Back against the wall

Kelly and his brother Dempsey would move from town to town for a number of years when they were young, but one thing was always constant - rugby league.

He showed promise as a teenager with his footy education coming from Group 2 rugby nurseries Bowraville Tigers and Kempsey Dragons.

While Kelly was a livewire and incredible playmaker he always had his back to the wall.

Albert Kelly has never been happier since he moved back to Australia

“I’m a small town country boy, people doubted me and many more before me from my community, saying he’s not gonna last, he’s gonna go down there (to the city) and get in trouble,” he said.

“I want to prove everyone wrong and make a better life for my family.”

Growing up wasn’t easy for Kelly and his family with continuity a rare thing in school and family life, but to finally reach the summit of the enormous mountain he has had to climb proves to himself and his community that anything is possible.

“I’m trying to show my family that I am proud of who I am and where I come from”.