Despite producing a brilliant second-half of the season to finish third in the club’s best and fairest, Kelly has opted to return to home club Wagga Tigers.

The 22-year-old said his father and Brownlow medallist Paul’s involvement with the Riverina league club next season was a factor in the switch.

“Probably because dad's helping out at the club a little bit and they've been struggling the last couple of years," Kelly said.

“I loved the O and M.

“It was good footy, a good standard.”

Kelly has spent the past two seasons at Birallee Park and would have been a huge part of new coach Jarrod Hodgkin’s plans to improve on this year’s preliminary final berth.

He didn’t rule out returning to the Ovens and Murray later in his career.

“The second half of the year I was really enjoying it,” he said.

“I don't know, it just kind of clicked.

“I'll probably come back and play a better standard of footy.

“I don't know whether it will be here or somewhere else."

Kelly played in a premiership for Wagga Tigers as a youngster and is looking forward to playing under Troy Maiden who spent time with Corowa-Rutherglen several years ago.

Although Wodonga Raiders have picked up highly-rated ruckman Barooga ruckman Brodie A’vard, they are sweating on the futures of brothers Jydon and Matt Neagle.

Matt is a chance of being picked up in next month’s AFL draft after being invited to the Victorian state combine.

He and Jydon have also attracted interest from VFL and SANFL clubs.

Raven Jolliffe is presently playing in the Northern Territory.