- Jake Kelly has announced his retirement from football.
- The 29-year-old says he wants to focus on the “next stage of life”
- Essendon paid tribute to their loyal utility player
Essendon star Jake Kelly has shocked the football world by announcing his retirement at the age of 29.
Despite seemingly having plenty of football ahead of him, the versatile player has told the club he wishes to focus on the “next phase of his life”.
Kelly played 20 games for the Bombers this season, having joined the Melbourne-based club as a free agent at the end of the 2021 season.
He enjoyed a handful of good performances early in the year, although he later became a scapegoat among fans when results did not go his team’s way.
Kelly played the club’s final game of the season but showed no sign that this bombshell decision was pending, allowing legend Dyson Heppell to bask in the fans’ acclaim after he also confirmed his retirement.
“It’s the right time to move on to the next stage of my life, which I’m really excited about,” Kelly said.
‘Firstly, I am incredibly indebted to the Adelaide Football Club for giving me the opportunity to be on an AFL list, they believed in me before I believed in myself and I will always be grateful for that, as well as the coaches, players and staff involved with the Adelaide Football Club.
“It has been a privilege to have played for the Essendon Football Club. I leave knowing that the quality of people within the club is right for it to once again be a dominant AFL club. I can’t thank the players, coaches and staff enough – they are truly great people and it has been a pleasure to work with them all.”
Jake Kelly has announced his shock decision to retire from football.
Essendon football chief executive Daniel McPherson has praised Kelly for his “brave” decision.
“It’s a brave decision for Jake to step away from football at his age to focus on the next stage of his life away from the game,” McPherson said.
‘Playing 168 games at AFL level, including a Grand Final, is a massive achievement and Jake should be extremely proud of the contributions he made to the Essendon and Adelaide football clubs.
‘We thank him for everything he gave to the club during his three seasons in red and black and we wish him all the best for the next chapter of his life.’
