..I understand....will be the development Coach.

Who?

Who?

Ditto.

Just googled him... Got nothing... Elaborate please Davo

from melbournefc.com.au

Kelly O’Donnell joins MELBOURNEfc

MELBOURNEfc is pleased to advise that it has appointed Kelly O’Donnell to the position of Development Coach.

A former Melbourne player, O’Donnell was renowned for his dedicated attitude towards his football, playing 80 games and kicking 67 goals for the Club between 1979 and 1984. He became the senior coach of the Murray Bushrangers between 1993 and 2000, taking the side to finals in six seasons, and winning the premiership in 1998. O’Donnell then joined the Fremantle Dockers where he spent seven years as assistant coach, serving both the forward line and the midfield.

MELBOURNEfc coach Dean Bailey said, “Securing Kelly’s services is a real bonus for the Melbourne Football Club. He has an outstanding knowledge of the game, and brings with him over 15 years of coaching experience with both Fremantle and the Murray Bushrangers. Kelly played with this Club for five seasons, and we are thrilled he now returns home to play a vital role in the development of our playing list.”

O’Donnell said, “I am really pleased to be back at the Melbourne Football Club, I am looking forward to the challenge this role presents me and am very excited to be working alongside Dean Bailey, Chris Connolly and the rest of the coaching personnel at the Club.

"I spent seven years with the Fremantle Dockers, and would also like to thank them for everything they have done for me to benefit my professional coaching career.”

Here is his profile on the Freo website. If he's been there for 7 years he must have done something right.

Kelly O'Donnell

Welcome (back) to MFC Kelly.

Who?

I'm feeling old

Ditto.

Just googled him... Got nothing... Elaborate please Davo

Past player - see details on the club website

Past player - see details on the club website

Indeed. Before my time it seems :D

Fairly impressive list of players that he coached at Murray.

and here i thought my ex was gonna be our development coach.

everyones coming home...makes you feel all warm and fuzzy!! LOL

In the interests of going massively over the top as usual, can we give him credit for turning Matthew Pavlich into a superstar given his development and forward coaching role at Freo over the last 7 years?

Chris Connelly influence already showing?

well...for probably the first time in....umm...in......... well, a very long while it does seem that we are developing a real plan. An to go with the plan assembling the personnel to enact it. Now nothing ever really results overnight from such things but it is very encouraging isnt it

Again...i think it will be avery different Melbourne taking to the pitch next year... ..different mainly above the shoulders !!

well...for probably the first time in....umm...in......... well, a very long while it does seem that we are developing a real plan. An to go with the plan assembling the personnel to enact it. Now nothing ever really results overnight from such things but it is very encouraging isnt it

Again...i think it will be avery different Melbourne taking to the pitch next year... ..different mainly above the shoulders !!

Well its exactly what we have been looking for, a complete change. A new coach, new assistants, new facilities within 2 years hopefully and most importantly, developing a young list.

lets hope we can get a team that plays for each other and really hurts for the jumper.

I look forward to this year more than I did last year and thats with an inferior team (short term), because I can watch our youngsters develop, some in the firsts, some for Sandy.

now we just need our membership to grow off the field.

if they build it....they will come !!

I'm feeling old

Same here.

Somewhere I think I have a videotape of Melbourne game where K O'D was BoG. Connolly might have been playing as well. ABC coverage I think with the Doug Heywood post-match interview. Not making myself feel any younger.

Now I'm waiting for one of the Blu-Ray generation to ask "what's a videotape ?"

Now I'm waiting for one of the Blu-Ray generation to ask "what's a videotape ?"

Is that, like, as in V.C.R? Aren't they steam powered or something?

Is that, like, as in V.C.R? Aren't they steam powered or something?

Pedals & crank-handle

I think I've still got a Kelly O'Donnell chewing gum swap card.

"His renowned nous at getting the best out of young players - with former pupils at Murray including Barry Hall, Josh Fraser, Adem Yze, Justin Koschitzke and Daniel Cross - has served him well at Fremantle."

AFL is a small world.

I think I've still got a Kelly O'Donnell chewing gum swap card.

Little bloke, winger, from Kyabrum in our Goulburn Valley zone who wore the number 23 and made his debut as an interchange player in round 2 of 1980 sitting on the bench with Greg Hutchison. Real name is Noel. I think Kelly might be his nickname. Played in the glory years of the 5 year plan under RDB whose coaching career was quite underwhelming. Who knew that at the end of the 5 year plan we would be back at square 1?

made his debut as an interchange player in round 2 of 1980 sitting on the bench with Greg Hutchison

Against who?

Did we win?

How many touches did he get?

Thought I'd ask the local historian

Against who?

Did we win?

How many touches did he get?

Thought I'd ask the local historian

It was against Fitzroy and Melbourne won the game by 24 points. I wasn't into counting kicks and handballs in those days. We're hoping to organise a Demonland/Demonology function for early November and I'd like to invite Kelly along to talk about his role as a development coach as well as his experiences as coach in the TAC Cup and at Freo. Don't tell anybody though because we haven't invited anyone yet. Hopefully, one of the players will be there too!

everyones coming home...makes you feel all warm and fuzzy!! LOL

You could have K O'd me with the news, thats great. Welcome back to Kelly country.

Geez we'll be adding Peter Giles and Roger Ellingworth to the coaching panel next week at this rate! How many 80's Melbourne old boys can we fit into the offices?

I had a bit to do with him when he was coaching the Bushies and I was coaching school footy. I rate him highly. Bloody nice bloke. No ego - just get the job done. Top Stuff.