Darren Lockyer says the only question ever asked of Albert Kelly’s footballing pedigree concerned his fitness – and the former Broncos captain believes the Brisbane playmaker is now in the best shape in a long time.
The 31-year-old set up a try for winger Corey Oates with a deft chip kick in Brisbane’s 16-10 win over Canterbury in round two, before rescuing the Broncos in the dying seconds when he bobbed up unexpectedly to defuse a threatening Bulldogs attack.
Kelly’s influential game against the Bulldogs followed a top showing in round one, when he racked up 146 running metres and intercepted a Cody Walker pass to tear away for an 85 metre try in an 11-4 win over the Rabbitohs.
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“He’s always been an instinctive footballer. It was just, ‘Can we get Albert Kelly fit?’. I reckon that’s the best I’ve seen him look for a long time, and he’s reaping the benefits,” Lockyer said on Wide World of Sports’ QLDER.
“You can have a footballer turn up to your team and if you can get him fit, get him healthy, you get the best out of him. There’s been a lot of talented players over the years that just haven’t been able to get their fitness where they need it to be, or get their body healthy enough to perform at the top level week in, week out.”
When Kelly ran out for the Broncos in round 11 of the 2021 season, he hadn’t played an NRL game in nearly seven years.
After spending six seasons with Hull Kingston Rovers and Hull FC in the Super League, the former Shark and Titan returned to the NRL with the Broncos wearing a black ear guard following a gruesome injury.
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He’s now partnering marquee signing Adam Reynolds in the halves, having beaten Billy Walters to the five-eighth jumper and leaving the coach’s son to play as a utility off the bench.
“Credit to him, he’s worked hard and at the moment he’s getting accolades that are well deserved,” said Lockyer, who’s a Broncos board member.
Rugby league Immortal Wally Lewis hailed Kelly’s performance against Canterbury and said he expected the best of his footy to be ahead.
“I was very impressed with the way he assumed control, particularly (with) the little chip kick in the corner,” Lewis said.
“(It) couldn’t have been better placed. That was fantastic and had everybody jumping out of their seats.
“He’s one of those guys that just has plenty of talent and we’re about to see the best of it, hopefully.”
The Broncos will face the Cowboys in Brisbane on Sunday afternoon.
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