Jake Kelly: Footy star, 29, stuns club with shock retirement decision as ‘courageous’ reason behind his call to walk away from the sport is revealed

Essendon star Jake Kelly has shocked the footy world by announcing his retirement at the age of 29. 

Despite appearing to have plenty of footy ahead of him, the utility player has told the club that he wishes to focus on the ‘next phase of his life’.

Kelly played 20 games for the Bombers this season, having joined the Melbourne-based club as a free agent at the end of the 2021 season.

He enjoyed a handful of strong performances at the start of the year, although he later became a scapegoat among fans when results didn’t go their side’s way.

Kelly played in the club’s final game of the season but showed no sign that this bombshell decision was pending, allowing legend Dyson Heppell to enjoy the acclaim of the fans after he also confirmed his retirement.

‘It’s the right time for me to move on and into the next phase of my life which I’m extremely excited about,’ Kelly said.

‘Firstly I’m incredibly indebted to the Adelaide Football Club for giving me the opportunity to be on an AFL list, they believed in me before I believed in myself and I’ll always be thankful for that as well as to the coaches, players and staff involved with the Adelaide Football Club.

‘It’s been a privilege to have played for the Essendon Football Club. I leave knowing that the quality of people within it are the right ones to lead it back to being a dominant club within the AFL. I can’t thank the players, coaches and staff enough, they are truly great people and it’s been a pleasure to work with them all.’

Essendon general footy manager Daniel McPherson paid huge credit to Kelly for his ‘courageous’ decision. 

‘It’s a courageous decision for Jake to decide to step away from football at his age to focus on the next stage of his life away from the game,’ McPherson said.

‘To play 168 games at AFL level, including a Grand Final, is a terrific achievement, and Jake should be extremely proud of the contributions he made to both the Essendon and Adelaide Football Clubs.

‘We thank him for everything he gave to the club over his three seasons in the red and black and wish him all the best for the next chapter of his life.’