Josh Kelly has restated why he's such hot property in AFL, playing a starring role in the GWS Giants' 42-point win against North Melbourne.
After a week in which he was at the centre of a rumoured multi-million deal to lure him to Arden Street, the 22-year-old midfielder sidelined the speculation and put on a show of class.
Kelly topped the Giants' disposals tally, with 31, plus 19 handballs, six clearances, a goal and a minor score as the side won 15.19 (109) to 10.7 (67) in Hobart.
"It has been a big week ... but I thought he handled it really well, considering he also hurt his ankle early in the game, so he had a few things going on in his mind," GWS coach Leon Cameron said of his star after play.
"He's such a professional kid, he just gets on with it. He knows when to put things out of his brain and get on with business and he did that really well today."
There are no long-term concerns with Kelly's ankle, which he rolled in the first quarter, but he will be closely monitored over coming days.
"(Kelly) is turning into a really good midfielder, we're playing him more inside ... we're really wrapped with the way he's going ... and he's got an elite engine, he runs all day," Cameron added.
It wasn't all good news for the Giants with forward Ryan Griffen seen hobbling along the sideline on crutches late in the game after a contest in the second term turned sour.
"He looks like he's got a pretty nasty ankle injury which is disappointing," Cameron said.
"We'll have to deal with that and see where that ends up in the next couple of days."
Dependable backline player Phil Davis also copped a solid blow in the closing minutes of play but Cameron hopes that a subsequent shoulder complaint will clear up by next round's clash with Port Adelaide.
On the Giants' list of credits at Bellerive Oval were Callan Ward and Dylan Shiel with 29 and 27 disposals respectively, while Toby Greene and Jeremy Cameron booted three goals each as the sides' top scorers.
In a game of milestones GWS midfielder Steve Johnson booted his 500th AFL career goal and Kangaroos' captain Jack Ziebell played his 150th game.
Ziebell was impressive for the Roos, as was Braydon Preuss, who finished his third AFL game with two goals.
The result leaves the Kangaroos winless for the season.
They were again without tall forward Majak Daw who was a late withdrawal from the clash after suffering concussion at training during the week.
Coach Brad Scott admitted Kelly was too polished against his error-riddled side.
"He was one of the guys in the inside midfield that beat our guys on the day - he's a good player and a quality character," Scott said.
