Nullawil Football Club teenager Patrick Kelly has signed with South Barwon

After travelling thousands of kilometres to get a kick this footy season, a former Bendigo Pioneer will chase a new start at South Barwon.

After travelling thousands of kilometres to get a kick this season, a teenage South Barwon recruit is looking forward to a shorter drive on game day in 2024.

The Swans’ off-season has started strongly, nabbing former Bendigo Pioneer and teenage star from the North Central Football League, Patrick Kelly.

The 19-year-old Nullawil FC best-and-fairest winner was named in the Maroons’ best players on 12 occasions from his 19 games this season, playing across the half back flank, and was part of a losing grand final team to Sea Lake Nandaly by 14 points.

Kelly relocated to Geelong at the start of the year to study exercise and sports science at Deakin University.

Travelling home to play with the Maroons every weekend, Kelly started training at South Barwon through a connection with family friend and former Swan, Tony Hand.

Kelly would usually leave on a Friday night for home games, often travelling with a pair of Geelong-based players.

South Barwon has signed Nullawil teenager Patrick Kelly. Picture: South Barwon FC.

Kelly, who played seven games with the Bendigo Pioneers in 2022, said he was impressed by the Swans’ intensity at training.

“The standard of training was through the roof compared to back home,” he said.

“They go at it pretty hard which shows up on Saturday, they’re a pretty competitive team.

“I just loved the intent they brought to training.”

Kelly said the Maroons were “incredibly supportive” of his move.

“I love the Nullawil Football Club and it was incredibly hard to me to leave,” he said.

“I’ve always had the goal to play at the highest level I can and South Barwon is a great opportunity for me to do so.

“They were all very supportive of me, that was nice.”

Kelly will return home for the harvest on the family farm before returning for pre-season as soon as he can.

The announcement comes just days after Mathieson Medal and club best-and-fairest winner Fraser Fort had recommitted for 2024.

South Barwon’s head of senior football operations, Shane Madigan, said Kelly could play in defence or provide a pressure forward option for the Swans.

“He’s quite versatile who can play at either end of the ground, he’s quite fit and strong with elite skills,” Madigan said.

“He’s great fit for South Barwon’s culture.

“He’s a terrific kid, he signed during the week but wouldn’t sign until he informed his previous coach he was going.

“That’s the kind of kid he is, he’s a great country lad with good morals.”

Originally published as Nullawil Football Club teenager Patrick Kelly has signed with South Barwon