GWS star Josh Kelly approaches game 200 against childhood team North Melbourne

He grew up cheering for them, then when the Kangaroos came calling, Josh Kelly said no to remain a Giant. Ahead of game 200, the colour orange now runs deep in the star’s veins.

Portrait of GWS Giants player Josh Kelly on March 14, 2024 ahead of his 200th AFL game this week when they take on North Melbourne. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only – Phil Hillyard **NO ON SALES** – ©Phil Hillyard )

A post from the Giants on social media this week stirred up a different set of emotions for vice-captain Josh Kelly.

The midfielder will celebrate his 200th game when he runs out against the Kangaroos on Saturday, and as part of the tribute, the club got their hands on some pictures of a young Kelly when he was a North Melbourne fan.

“There’s a few photos this week that not even I’d seen them for a little while,” Kelly said.

“I think Boomer (Brent Harvey) commented on the post. Jess Sinclair sent me a message who was one of my favourite players growing up.

“So there are those moments where it does feel a bit full circle in that sense. You are able to reflect and look back, put yourself in the position when you were just a young kid, looking up to AFL players in general.”

The blue and white ran strong for Kelly with his father, Phil, playing 61 matches for the Kangas.

But while it’s fortuitous that he will bring up the milestone against a club he is so intrinsically linked to, he could so easily have been playing this weekend against the Giants.

The Kangaroos made no secret of their admiration for Kelly, offering him a 10-year, multimillion-dollar deal to relocate back to Victoria in 2019.

But after extended negotiations, the Giants won out. And he’s set to be at GWS for life with his current contract stretching through to the end of 2029.

“There were obviously ties to (North Melbourne) with dad and myself supporting them growing up, so there was always a bit of a pull there,” Kelly said. “It was just a time when I was considering options, I was never one way or the other.

“But at the end of the day, I always felt a real connection to this club and the relationships that I built here.

“I’ve always felt success is around the corner for us as well. So, when you combine all those things together, I think we’re in a pretty special position to be competing for premierships each year with a club and culture that is pretty special.

“It’s not something I’ve needed to justify or vindicate. But, I mean, we are competing for premierships, and we’ve got a great group. So, I’m really proud of what we’ve built.”

Kelly believes the Giants are as well placed as ever to challenge for a premiership. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Kelly will become just the sixth player to bring up 200 games for the Giants, and also the quickest, after only making his debut in 2014. And with another six years to go on his deal, it’s clear he is going to be a one-club player who could go down as the games-record holder in Giants history.

He’ll never forget those memories of barracking for the Kangaroos early in life, but it’s clear the affinity he has forged with the Giants is much stronger.

“I wasn’t an inaugural Giant, I was there in the third year, but to be a part of that group and be the first bunch of Giants to play 200 games, there’s no doubt it’s special,” Kelly said.

“I do feel a real connection to the club and that group of players and then the next ones coming through as well. We’re going to have a pretty good group of inaugural Giants and 200-game Giants floating around the place in the years to come.

“You’re always trying to have your best year individually, always trying to work on things and chase those areas, but at the end of the day, a premiership is what I want to be able to say I achieved, and I feel like we’ve got a group and a club that is working towards that.”

It’s been a long journey for Kelly who has many more years of milestones to come at the Giants. Picture: Gregg Porteous

While Harvey’s allegiances certainly haven’t swung in Kelly’s favour – “Play well, just not well enough for the 4 points,” the Kangaroos legend posted on Instagram – the 29-year-old knows he has at least one former Roo onside.

“(Dad is) definitely Giants now, confidently,” Kelly said. “The whole family have the orange scarves on.”

The Giants are set to welcome back both Finn Callaghan and Harry Perryman for the clash with North Melbourne. Callan Ward is the major omission following his shoulder injury against Collingwood.

While the crowd for Kelly’s milestone match won’t go near the impressive attendance from last Saturday, the Giants are still confident of attracting a big audience at ENGIE Stadium. As part of the afternoon, ticketed fans will also get free access to Easter Show rides, as well as a tribute to inaugural co-captain, Phil Davis.

Originally published as GWS star Josh Kelly approaches game 200 against childhood team North Melbourne