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Paul Kelly is heading back to Wagga Wagga.
Kelly heading home
By JOHN THIRSK
29jul03
SWANS great Paul Kelly has revealed he is quitting the club and returning home to Wagga Wagga.
"I've sold the house in Centennial Park and will be leaving the Swans at the end of the season," Kelly told The Daily Telegraph.
"I always intended moving back to Wagga at some stage.
"I'm looking forward to going home with my wife, Lyndelle and the family.
"We have another five home and away matches and then hopefully we can go through to the grand final in September."
Kelly set the benchmark for his teammates with his fearless and inspirational style.
He showed little respect for his body getting crunched in tackles and also gave out as much he received from opponents.
Kelly is a near-certainty to be named in the Swans Team of the Century next week.
He was captain for 10 years, Brownlow medallist in 1995, and four time best and fairest.
Last year Kelly's battle-weary body could take no more and the 234 game veteran of 13 seasons took on the role of runner.
Kelly, from West Wyalong, learnt his footy with the Wagga Tigers before moving to Sydney in 1990.
"I guess you can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy," Kelly said.
"My wife is also from Wagga, so that helps with her family there.
"The first thing is to move back in September and settle down before deciding what the future holds for me in football.
"I started with the Wagga Tigers and had four seasons with them before my first game with the Swans in 1990."
Kelly said he had no definite plans for the future.
"There is no thought of coaching in Wagga at the moment.
"I wouldn't mind continuing in some development role for the Swans in the Riverina competition."
Kelly added his time with the Swans had been fantastic.
"I have some great memories with the Swans like the lead-up to the 1996 grand final," he said.
"Winning the Brownlow medal and being on the field when Tony Lockett kicked his record 1300th goal in 1999."
Kelly heading home
By JOHN THIRSK
29jul03
SWANS great Paul Kelly has revealed he is quitting the club and returning home to Wagga Wagga.
"I've sold the house in Centennial Park and will be leaving the Swans at the end of the season," Kelly told The Daily Telegraph.
"I always intended moving back to Wagga at some stage.
"I'm looking forward to going home with my wife, Lyndelle and the family.
"We have another five home and away matches and then hopefully we can go through to the grand final in September."
Kelly set the benchmark for his teammates with his fearless and inspirational style.
He showed little respect for his body getting crunched in tackles and also gave out as much he received from opponents.
Kelly is a near-certainty to be named in the Swans Team of the Century next week.
He was captain for 10 years, Brownlow medallist in 1995, and four time best and fairest.
Last year Kelly's battle-weary body could take no more and the 234 game veteran of 13 seasons took on the role of runner.
Kelly, from West Wyalong, learnt his footy with the Wagga Tigers before moving to Sydney in 1990.
"I guess you can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy," Kelly said.
"My wife is also from Wagga, so that helps with her family there.
"The first thing is to move back in September and settle down before deciding what the future holds for me in football.
"I started with the Wagga Tigers and had four seasons with them before my first game with the Swans in 1990."
Kelly said he had no definite plans for the future.
"There is no thought of coaching in Wagga at the moment.
"I wouldn't mind continuing in some development role for the Swans in the Riverina competition."
Kelly added his time with the Swans had been fantastic.
"I have some great memories with the Swans like the lead-up to the 1996 grand final," he said.
"Winning the Brownlow medal and being on the field when Tony Lockett kicked his record 1300th goal in 1999."
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