Jackson Kelly, the eldest son of the former captain and Brownlow medallist, pulled on the number 49 guernsey in the Swans reserves 27-point win over the Brisbane Lions’ reserves and picked up nine possessions.
Paul, who was joined in the stands by his wife and four children, said he was over the moon to see Jackson play his first game in Swans colours.
“I was excited,” Kelly told SwansTV.
“Obviously for Jack to get the opportunity to play is awesome.
“It’s good (to see him in the red and white), it’s really good.
“He was excited about it and he’s gone alright, so it’s good.”
Jackson, who represents the Wagga Tigers in his home town of Wagga Wagga, played the majority of the match at half-forward and on the wing, and showed off his pace and running ability at times during the match.
While Jackson was excited about his first opportunity to represent the Swans, Paul said he was also a little bit daunted by the task of playing with an unfamiliar team under lights at the SCG.
“He was really excited just about the opportunity to pull the Swans jumper on and play on the SCG,” Paul said.
“But it’s always a bit of an ask being thrown into a side when you don’t know many players or all the structures and that sort of stuff.
“He is doing Year 12 as well, so he’s had HSC trials on this week, so he’s had a big week.
“He did his best and I think he went all right.
“It’s been good and it’s a great opportunity and experience, which I’m sure he enjoyed.”
Despite being regarded as one of the club’s greatest ever players, with 234 games to his name, a Brownlow medal and four Bob Skilton Medals, Paul said he didn’t believe Jackson suffered from any pressure to live up to his achievements.
Paul said he placed no expectations of Jackson or any of his children, and encouraged them to simply enjoy their football.
“I don’t put any pressure on him at all,” he said.
“There is probably some outside pressure for him but he just goes about it, and so do my younger boys as well.
“We just play footy back at home and they enjoy it and do their best.
“It’s not so bad at home as much as it might be up here (in Sydney) today, but he seems to handle it pretty well.
“He might get another go, who knows, but if he doesn’t, the experience has been good for him.”
While Paul spends most weekends attending his children’s football or netball matches back in Wagga, he has found time to attend a handful of Swans matches this season.
With just four matches remaining until this year’s finals series, Paul said he felt the Swans were building into their top form, and said their best would be hard to beat.
“I’ve been to a few games, and we’ve been really good this year,” he said.
“It’s going to take a good side to beat us and obviously we need to still be playing well come finals time.
“I do think we’re good enough… and someone is going to be playing pretty good footy to beat us - fingers crossed!”
