Narrabeen Sharks: The star who sparked their grand final win
LIVEWIRE halfback Will Kelly won his third premiership in a row by producing a second-half masterclass that inspired Narrabeen to a 26-6 grand final win over Berowra.
Manly
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LIVEWIRE halfback Will Kelly won his third premiership in a row by producing a second-half masterclass that inspired Narrabeen Sharks to a 26-6 win over Berowra Wallabies in their A grade rugby league grand final.
The Sharks held a narrow 6-0 halftime lead at Lottoland on Sunday before the 22-year-old cut loose after the break, scoring two tries and setting up another for centre Sammy Norton.
His blistering pace and anticipation had the Wallabies on the hop and they never recovered.
Kelly was a member of the Avalon Bulldogs side that won the previous two A grade grand finals but they did not field a side this year.
“I had surgery at the start of the year and then Avalon folded and I wasn’t going to play,” Kelly said.
But then he was contacted by persuasive Narrabeen coach Frank McKee, who was looking for a No.7.
“I came here and it was the best year ever. Honestly, I feel at home at Narrabeen,” Kelly said.
“We’ve got a good pack so it’s easy for me to do my thing when they’re going forward.”
Front-rowers Ben Spring, Illija Radan and Meli Vuata laid a solid platform for the Sharks with their power plays.
Despite his undoubted talent Kelly did not play any junior representative football.
“I never got the opportunity and now I just enjoy playing with my mates,” he said,
“That’s what footy is all about for me.”
McKee said Kelly had been like that all season. “He just turned the game on its head by himself,” McKee said.
“We are very lucky to have that kid, he is special.
“He’s got so much speed. He’s a joy to watch.”
McKee said he was overwhelmed to get a score like that in a grand final and said it was the Sharks’ best performance of the year.
“They wanted it, they were hungry for it,” he said.