In December 2021, Kelly was named, along with Toby Greene and incumbent Stephen Coniglio, as co-captain of the club.

[5] He was educated at Brighton Grammar School, alongside fellow 2013 draftees Christian Salem and Jayden Hunt.

He was nominated for the 2014 AFL Rising Star award after featuring in Greater Western Sydney's 32-point win over Melbourne in round 3.

In the opening rounds of the season, it was confirmed that North Melbourne had made a $9 million contract offer.

He managed 27 disposals and was named in the best players in the team’s four point preliminary final win against Collingwood.