Bloods Legend and former captain Paul Kelly has been invited to present the 2022 AFL Premiership Cup should the Sydney Swans win Saturday’s match at the MCG.
Originally from Wagga Wagga, Kelly played 234 games and kicked 200 goals for the Sydney Swans between 1990-2002.
Playing most of his career in guernsey No. 14 made famous by Bob Skilton, he captained the team from 1993 until his retirement.
He was a three-time All-Australian and won the Brownlow medal in 1995.
Sydney Swans CEO Tom Harley said it’s fitting that Kelly will perform the duty.
"Paul Kelly is a legend of our club and we are thrilled that he will present the cup shall we win on Saturday," said Sydney Swans CEO Tom Harley.
"Paul epitomises what we stand for as a football club and is the perfect man for the role."
Kelly is a four-time Sydney Swans Club Champion, winning the Bob Skilton Medal in 1992, 1993, 1996, and 1997. The peer-voted Players’ Player Award presented at the Club Champion dinner is named in his honour.
When the Sydney Swans won their drought-breaking AFL Premiership in 2005, Kelly presented the Premiership Cup to Paul Roos and Barry Hall.
"To reach a Grand Final is something we all strive for and it's not easy to do. Making one is hard enough and winning one is even harder. It's a fitting result for lots of hard work over a long period of time,” said Kelly.
"I'm extremely proud to be known as a Swan and hopefully we can raise another trophy for everyone involved."
Vice-captain of the Sydney Swans' Team of the Century, Kelly was inducted into the Swans Hall of Fame in 2009 and immediately elevated to Bloods Legend. He has also been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
