NRL 2021: Brisbane Broncos five-eighth Albert Kelly on his stunning return to the NRL

Back from England after an often brilliant seven-year spell, Albert Kelly is looking to make up for lost time in the NRL - and that can only be good news for Kevin Walters.

Broncos fans will see a new Albert Kelly after Brisbane’s latest five-eighth declared he was a different player ahead of his remarkable NRL return.

Kelly will play his first NRL game in 2505 days when he pulls on the Brisbane No.6 jersey made famous by Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer in Saturday night’s daunting clash against the Roosters at the SCG.

It has been nearly seven years since Kelly, one of the game’s brightest young talents as a junior, played the last of his 47 NRL games for the Gold Coast Titans in 2014.

Kelly spent six years in the English Super League with Hull FC and Hull KR, winning the 2017 Challenge Cup final and finishing runner-up in the Man of Steel award, the competition’s top individual honour.

The talented Indigenous playmaker became a fan favourite in England, with his instinctive play and freakish talent lighting up the league to the point crowds would sing his name.

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Albert Kelly last played in the NRL for the Titans in 2014. Pics Adam Head

But Kelly felt he had unfinished business in the NRL and returned to Australia at the end of last year to chase a second coming.

Now 30, and having added 118 first grade games to his tally in England, Kelly is adamant he is an improved player and ready to make the Broncos proud.

“My game has really changed over the years – I’ve got a lot more smarts than I had,” Kelly told News Corp.

“I was making a lot of errors looking for big plays because that’s what the fans get excited about.

“In my early years I was more of an erratic, attacking player. I learnt a lot about game management and patience in England, things I wasn’t good at.

“To add that to my arsenal and come back and mix it with these young kids has really helped. My attributes can help unlock their confidence which is a big thing for such a young squad.

“There will be a fresh new Kelly out there.”

Kelly as the U16 captain for the NSW Koori team.

A product of Kempsey on NSW’s mid north coast and cousin of NRL legend Greg Inglis, Kelly was a schoolboys star on the rise when he signed a rich four-year contract with Parramatta straight out of school.

He struggled with the demands of being in an NRL system in his early years and was sacked by Cronulla and Newcastle following off-field issues.

Kelly resurrected his career at the Titans under coach John Cartwright in 2013, producing an exciting 11-try season at halfback.

Kelly continued his strong form in early 2014, scoring five tries in the first five rounds, before suffering a broken leg in Round 9, which proved to be his undoing in the NRL.

Cartwright was sacked that year and replaced by Neil Henry, who released Kelly with a year to run on his contract to take up a deal with Hull KR.

Kelly suffered a broken leg in 2014. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

“I was really enjoying my footy in 2013-14 then I broke my leg and sat out for a few weeks,” Kelly said.

“I didn’t recover quickly and it didn’t feel right when I came back. I had a year left at the Titans and wanted to get my strength back but I felt I was rushing it.

“I thought I would go to England later in my career but an option arose and I took it and spent seven years there. I enjoyed it very much at both Hull clubs. I learnt a few more parts to add to my game.

“But I went over to England too early. I was only 23 and had plenty more to give in the NRL. I didn’t really want to leave.
“I’ve always had aspirations to come back and play at the top level here again. I learnt that I had to have patience.”

Kelly’s chance arrived when he was offered a train-and-trial contract by new Broncos coach Kevin Walters.

Kelly has been in strong form for Souths-Logan. Picture: David Clark

It was a risk given he could have had a guaranteed healthy salary in the Super League and security for partner Mtia Tass and their three young children.

Instead, they spent two weeks in hotel quarantine upon returning to Australia and Kelly’s arrival at the Broncos did not go to plan.

After only a week at Red Hill, Walters told Kelly to go back to Souths-Logan and work on his fitness.

“I had a few injuries last year, I tore my hamstring in the Challenge Cup quarter-final, I took my time recovering and packed on a few kilos in the cold over there,” he said.

“I felt like I was in pretty good shape when I came back but then I did 14 days’ quarantine.

“I came to Broncos training and tweaked my other hamstring so Kevvie told me to ease into training, strip a few more kilos and we’ll see what happens.

“There was a slim chance (of playing NRL) and I sacrificed a lot of things to get back here and bring my family home.

“I had to have patience and do the work, things I wouldn’t have done 10 years ago. The hard work I put in and sacrifices have got me to this point now.

“I’m glad I took a punt on it.”

Kelly has got himself fit. Pic Annette Dew

Kelly is now the lightest he has been in five years and in strong form for the Magpies, scoring four tries and registering 12 try-assists in six Intrust Super Cup games.

Pulling on a Broncos jersey will be a surreal moment and Kelly is adamant he will not let the club down when he becomes Brisbane’s third five-eighth of the season following the failures of Brodie Croft and Anthony Milford.

“I am stoked to even put the Broncos’ training gear on, I pinch myself every morning,” he said.

“To be back playing for a club with such rich history like the Broncos is unreal. I get to speak to legends like Petero (Civoniceva), Corey Parker and Alfie (Allan Langer) at training. I keep wondering if it’s real.

“They have given me an opportunity and I will do everything in my power to pay them back. I know I’ve done the hard work – it’s now time to get results.

“I won’t be anyone else except me out there.”

And he is adamant that will be a different Albert Kelly to what the NRL remembers.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Brisbane Broncos five-eighth Albert Kelly on his stunning return to the NRL