Eels Blogs

ALBERT KELLY wasn't ready to handle his Sliding Doors moment.

Kelly thought he was ready for the NRL. Parramatta did not.

Instead, the Eels solved last year's halves crisis by pitching another precociously talented youngster, Daniel Mortimer, into the fray.

The rest, as they say, is history. Mortimer went on to become one of the revelations of the 2009 season, playing a vital role in the Eels's inspiring run to the grand final.

Kelly was left to ponder what could have been.

''I kind of lost my way,'' Kelly admitted. ''I was too worried about getting a crack rather than playing my own football. It really gets into your head. It can crack you down, at training and stuff. I thought I was ready.''

The snub hit hard. After all, this was a kid who scored five tries for Parramatta's feeder side, Wentworthville, in the NSW Cup. The first of those came after just eight seconds. And did we mention that Kelly is the cousin of Storm superstar Greg Inglis?

After a series of indiscretions and disciplinary problems, including going AWL, he found himself in a revolving door rather than a sliding one at the Eels.

''Most of my problems have all been off the field,'' Kelly said.

''Training's always been great, it's really fun. But I was having fun at the [wrong] time.''

The Macksville product is now having fun at the right times in the Shire. One of the most talented young ball players in rugby league, there was no shortage of offers from NRL clubs. Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy was particularly keen to add him to his star-studdedline-up.

Instead, the 18-year-old chose to make Cronulla home, with the chance to play alongside idol Trent Barrett too good to refuse. The development means Kelly could oppose his cousin rather than play alongside him when the Storm opens its premiership defence againstCronulla at Toyota Stadium on March 13.

But rather than playing in his customary six or seven jersey, Sharks coach Ricky Stuart has earmarked Kelly as a potential fullback.

''It's mostly about opportunity here, whether it be at seven or six or one,'' Kelly said. ''From my point of view it's about taking that opportunity. I'd rather play at six or one, I just want to get the ball in my hands. I want to attack it more.

''[Stuart] wants my focus to be on one. He wants me to get my fitness up to play a Billy Slater-type role. I've been training at one so far and just filling in at half or five-eighth. It gives me more energy and saves me making 40 tackles a game. It keeps me [fresh]for attack.''

Good judges have already noted similarities between Kelly and Inglis, a former Clive Churchill medallist and the current holder of the prestigious Golden Boot. One difference is their state affiliations - Inglis wears the Maroon jersey come State of Origin time,while Kelly represented NSW in the under-18s equivalent.

''People always talk about how we're cousins but I'm keen to make my own name,'' Kelly said. ''The goals for this year are to have a few games in first grade and make a name for myself and helping my family down the line.''

Kelly, who left home at 15 to pursue his football dreams, said the Sharks had provided the right environment.