FORMER Bendigo Gold coach Aussie Jones has described Strathfieldsaye Storm’s latest recruit Chris Kelf as “a superstar”.
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Kelf was Jones’ ruckman when the former St Kilda star coached Beaconsfield in the Mornington-Peninsula Nepean Football League.
Kelf has also played with Kyabram in the Goulburn Valley Football League and last year won the Belgrave best and fairest in the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League.
“When Beaconsfield names a team of the decade or team of the quarter century, Kelf is in it. He’s very highly regarded by everyone at the club,’’ Jones said.
“He is a superstar, but he is getting on a bit now. He’s probably in the Tom Waters mould in that he’s not huge for a ruckman but he has a big leap.
“He’ll do anything a coach asks. He’s courageous, he’ll sit in the hole and he’s tough.
“As long as his body is holding up well he’ll be good player in Bendigo footy.”
Belgrave president Colin Francis said Kelf would benefit the Storm on and off the ground.
“Firstly, Chris is a terrific guy,’’ Francis said.
“We’re disappointed to be losing him, but we understand the circumstances he is in with his work at the new Bendigo Hospital.
“He only played the one season for us, but he won the best and fairest for the club even though he only played 13 or 14 games.
“Chris is an excellent tap ruckman and he’s great around the club as well. In some regards he is probably a little bit past his prime, but his ruck work is of the highest order.”
Kelf, who is good friends with the Storm’s full-back Kane Airdrie, should be available for this Saturday’s big clash with Golden Square at MyJet Oval.