GEELONG midfielder Tim Kelly has been recognised for his stellar season, winning the AFL Players’ Association Best First Year Player Award.

Kelly is the oldest winner in the award’s history and is the second mature-age prospect to win the award, following in Michael Barlow’s footsteps in 2010.

The on-baller was recognised by his peers after an outstanding debut season, blitzing the field by having more than double the amount of votes then the runner-up received.

Get ready for cricket like never before. FREE Sport HD + Entertainment until the first 4K cricket ball as part of 3 months free on a 12 month plan. SIGN UP TODAY. T & Cs apply.

Finals Week 1

Kelly claimed the award on 380 votes, ahead of Collingwood young gun Jaidyn Stephenson (173 votes).

The 24-year-old has been a mainstay in the Geelong midfield in 2018, starring alongside Cats superstars Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood.

The Cats plucked Kelly out of the WAFL with Pick 24 in the 2017 national draft and he has gone on to play every game this season — averaging 23.1 disposals, 4.4 clearances and 3.5 tackles.

MORE AFL NEWS

COTCHIN THEN DAYLIGHT: Tiger voted AFL’s top captain in landslide win

FIVE’S A CHARM! Dog creates history in best AFL young gun team

FULL VOTING: Mitchell crowned AFL MVP after record-breaking year

Tim Kelly has plenty to celebrate after winning the AFLPA Best First-Year Player. Photo: Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

This time last year, he was in the middle of his electrical apprenticeship.

The father of three explained he was often working eight or nine hour days before heading to football training, leaving very little time with his family.

“It was pretty flat out,” Kelly said.

“I was halfway through my third year of an electrical apprenticeship and waking up at 5.30-6am and off to work for eight or nine hours and then straight to training for a couple of hours and getting home about 8-8.30.

“It was pretty tough with a young family and not spending time with my son. That’d be me three times a week and then obviously game day on the weekend it’d be pretty stressful so, a lot of time taken up.

Kelly said he never gave up hope of an AFL dream.

Tim Kelly has been a standout in his first year of AFL. Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images. Source: Getty Images

“(I) always sort of had a little guy in the back of my head saying if I keep working on my game and kept working on things, a bit of luck would swing my way and I’d get an opportunity,” he explained.

“I’m very thankful to the Geelong footy club for the opportunity they have given me and look I’ve had a lot of support and lot of family support and people who mean a lot to me who keep pushing me in the right way.”

Brisbane Lions’ Cam Rayner made the podium with 38 votes, while Richmond forward Jack Higgins and Western Bulldogs defender Ed Richards rounded out the top five.

Past winners include Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli (2014), Sydney duo Isaac Heeney (2015) and Callum Mills (2016) — as well as Essendon 2017 Rising Star Andrew McGrath.

AFL Players’ Association Best First-Year Player Award voting

1. Tim Kelly (Geelong) — 380

2. Jaidyn Stephenson (Collingwood) — 173

3. Cam Rayner (Brisbane) — 38

4. Jack Higgins (Richmond) — 25

5. Ed Richards (Western Bulldogs) — 25

Get the ultimate AFL experience on your phone with the new FOX FOOTY App. Download it NOW for FREE on iOS and Android!