Wodonga Raiders signed the son of Sydney Swans legend Paul Kelly on Thursday night.
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Wagga Tigers premiership player Jackson Kelly boasts a carbon copy physique to the Brownlow Medallist in his early 20s.
“He was pretty similar to me at this age, I think he was only a skinny kid,” Jackson said.
The 70kg half forward or midfielder admits he’s had his weight battles.
“I struggle to put it on,” he said.
“I do a lot of gym, and I’m into nutrition, with a new diet and I try and eat a lot of food.”
His father finished his illustrious career at 83kg, with former team-mate and Raiders’ coach Daryn Cresswell suggesting the similarities are uncanny.
“You can just see their muscle tone, and certainly the same shape,” he said.
“One thing that really shocked me was that he moves like him as well, just runs like him.”
Jackson spent time with the Swans’ Academy and also played with Sydney’s NEAFL team in 2015.
‘It’s tough footy, bigger bodies, quicker, got to prepare for it, you’ve got to get bigger, fitter and faster,” he said.
He also has his father’s pace.
“He doesn’t put any pressure on me or anything, but I look up to him, see what he achieved, and just try and play good footy,” he said.
Kelly finished fifth in Tigers’ best and fairest count, and he also represented the RFL.
“I just wanted to play a better standard of footy,” he said.
One thing that really shocked me was that he moves like him as well, just runs like him
- Daryn Cresswell
“Just wanted to try and get my football to the highest level I can get to.”
Raiders lead the way for the league’s signings.
Kelly joins Bendigo and NT league best and fairest Brodie Filo and Golden Square star Adam Baird.