Kelly is 1.5 years into a 3 year deal @ 21 and on 300k a season from what I recall (could be wrong but pretty sure the number sticks).
It is his 2nd year of first grade, 5 games in.
Year 1 was up and down. Defence misreads were regular, speed not as expected, but he showed glimpses of having footy talent.
Year 2 is certainly a step up from year 1, and the footy brain is there still plus he has stiffened up in D.
Bit of a way to go - but back to post 1 and
@Mark from Brisbane is still on the money. @ 3.22% of our salary cap, he is welcome to keep getting better every game. Should he stall, or should the Roosters come knocking with 750K pa for 5 years (150K on the cap), then we would probably say our farewells.
Brian Kelly can play footy, he just needs more time to develop his game. May not be with us in the future, but I'm sure he will eventually be a pretty good 1st grader.
On a side note it was a shame he stopped to step the last line of defence. Seemed an injustice for him to do it, then be mowed down.
But full marks to Cartwright for chasing after he was well beaten.