Brian Kelly (rugby league) facts for kids
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Personal information
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 20 May 1996 Lismore, New South Wales, Australia |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 181 cm (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 94 kg (14 st 11 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Playing information
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Centre | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
As of 7 September 2024
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brian Kelly, born on May 20, 1996, is a professional rugby league player. He is an Indigenous Australian. He plays as a centre for the Gold Coast Titans team. This team is part of the National Rugby League (NRL).
Before joining the Titans, he played for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the NRL. Brian also represented Country NSW and the Prime Minister's XIII teams.
Contents
Getting Started in Rugby League
Brian Kelly was born in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. He comes from the Bundjalung people, an Indigenous Australian group.
Brian started playing rugby league when he was young. He played for local teams like the Ballina Seagulls and Lennox Head Dolphins. Later, the Gold Coast Titans signed him to their team. Brian is related to other rugby league players. His cousins are Brisbane Broncos player Albert Kelly and Wests Tigers player James Roberts.
Brian's Rugby League Journey
Early Career Highlights
From 2014 to 2016, Brian played for the Gold Coast Titans' youth team. This was part of the NYC. In July 2015, he played for the New South Wales under-20s team. They played against the Queensland under-20s team.
In September 2015, he signed a new contract with the Titans. This contract was for two more years. In May 2016, Brian played for the Junior Kangaroos. This team played against the Junior Kiwis. In November 2016, he signed a three-year contract. This was with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, starting in 2017. He was released early from his Titans contract to join them.
First NRL Games (2017)
In the first round of the 2017 NRL season, Brian made his NRL debut. He played for the Sea Eagles against the Parramatta Eels. He even scored a try in his very first game!
On May 7, Brian played for the Country team. This was in the last ever City vs Country origin match. He started on the left wing. His team lost 10–20 in Mudgee.
Moving to the Titans (2018-2019)
On November 8, 2018, Brian left the Sea Eagles. He joined the Gold Coast Titans on a two-year deal. He was released from the last year of his contract.
In the 2019 NRL season, Brian played 23 games for the Gold Coast. It was a tough year for the team. Their head coach, Garth Brennan, was let go. The Gold Coast only won four games that season. They finished last, earning the Wooden Spoon.
Facing Challenges (2020)
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, new rules were put in place. These rules were about player health. Brian was initially not allowed to play. This was because of rules about player health. He later agreed to meet the requirements. He was then able to rejoin his team.
Back on the Field (2021-2022)
Brian played 21 games for the Gold Coast in the 2021 NRL season. He was part of the team that played in the elimination final. They lost to the Sydney Roosters.
In round 24 of the 2022 NRL season, Brian was sent off. This happened during the Gold Coast's 36-26 win over Newcastle. He played 17 games in 2022. He scored seven tries that season. The team finished 13th on the ladder.
Recent Seasons (2023-2024)
Brian played 21 matches for the Gold Coast in the 2023 NRL season. He scored six tries for the team. The club finished 14th on the table that year.
In round 6 of the 2024 NRL season, Brian did something special. He converted a goal from the sideline. This took the game against Canberra into extra time. The Gold Coast unfortunately lost the match 21-20. This meant the team was still looking for their first win. Brian played 23 games in the 2024 NRL season. The Gold Coast finished 14th on the table.
Career Statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Tries | Goals | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 |  Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
23 | 8 | 32 | |
| 2018 | 24 | 7 | 28 | ||
| 2019 |  Gold Coast Titans |
23 | 8 | 32 | |
| 2020 | 16 | 6 | 24 | ||
| 2021 | 22 | 12 | 48 | ||
| 2022 | 17 | 7 | 28 | ||
| 2023 | 21 | 6 | 24 | ||
| 2024 | 23 | 5 | 10 | 40 | |
| Totals | 169 | 59 | 10 | 256 |
*denotes season competing
