Will Kelly Biography

Collingwood delist Will Kelly after five seasons on the list.

Will Kelly re-signs with the Magpies for 2023.

Kelly was starved of senior opportunities in 2022, having not managed an AFL game and spending most of his time in the VFL where he played 17 games.

Will Kelly could miss the rest of the 2020 season after scans revealed he suffered a fracture above his left elbow that marred his otherwise promising AFL debut.

Kelly suffered the injury after landing awkwardly from a marking contest in the final quarter of the Magpies' 32-point win over Hawthorn at Giants Stadium.

"It's a tough game. It is bittersweet. He looked like he was enjoying himself and he was a part of a solid team performance," Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said after the match.

Will Kelly makes his AFL debut for Collingwood with 5 disposals (4 kicks and a handball), 2 marks and a goal in a 32-point win over Hawthorn.

Will Kelly signs a two-year contract extension to remain with the Magpies until the end of 2022.

""Will has joined the club and applied himself with utmost dedication and focus as he works on getting his body right to get back on the field, hopefully it won't be long until our supporters can see what he's capable of," Pies list boss Ned Guy said.

Will Kelly decides against wearing his father Craig Kelly's No.23 jumper at Collingwood and will wear No.27 instead.

"I decided not to take it. I just think it's best to get out of the spotlight and try and forge my own path," Kelly said.

"It was open to take but I thought it was a better thing if I don't."

Collingwood secures father-son prospect Will Kelly after being forced to match a bid from Adelaide at pick No.29.

Craig Kelly was happy to see his son drafted to the Magpies.

"Because it's Collingwood, the relationship with a lot of people down there, it's pretty special," Craig said.

"He can run, he can mark, he can kick and he doesn't pinch and carry on like an idiot so he's well ahead of me."

Collingwood father-son prospect Will Kelly is hopeful of getting drafted to Collingwood where his father, Craig Kelly, played 122 games, including the 1990 premiership.

"We've had a few chats and Collingwood has made it clear that they're interested in me. But as of the moment there's not a concrete guarantee that it's going to happen," Will said.

"So I'm waiting to see what happens at the end of the year and, if I am lucky enough to be drafted, it'll be amazing.

"I've barracked for the Pies my whole life and it would be pretty amazing to be able to stay in Melbourne to be close to my mates and family."