He played a crucial role in the low-scoring 1990 Grand Final, which Collingwood went on to win.
Kelly was notorious for pinching opposition players to niggle them, with victims including Richmond's Stephen Jurica, Hawthorn's Jason Dunstall and Geelong duo David Mensch and Gary Ablett, which Ablett mentioned in his 2007 biography.
Kelly retired after Collingwood's final match of the 1996 season, a Round 22 win against the Brisbane Bears, along with Alan Richardson.
After his retirement, Kelly founded Elite Sports Properties with Rob Woodhouse (now TLA Worldwide).
Kelly was the appointed CEO of Collingwood Magpies Netball Club in 2023, which turned out to be the club's last year due to worsening financial problems and sustained lacklustre on-court performance that pre-dated his appointment.