Kelsey Rypstra

Mid-Season Draft recruit returns to former club after short AFL stint

The 20-year-old is back home following six months at the top level.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Former Western Bulldogs forward Kelsey Rypstra has returned to his old club North Adelaide for the 2025 SANFL season.

Rypstra departed the Roosters in May for an opportunity with the Dogs, who used their Pick 8 selection at the Mid-Season Draft to secure the 173cm forward.

The 20-year-old battled a hamstring injury for a large portion of his time in Victoria, with the ailment limiting him to just the five VFL matches for Footscray before he was delisted by the club.

Rypstra, noted for his forward pressure, has since returned to Prospect Oval for the coming SANFL season, re-signing with the Roosters six months on from his last game for the club.

"Super happy and an easy decision to come back home to the Roosters for 2025," Rypstra said in a club statement.

"Excited to see what the group can produce for the year and keen to crack in with the boys again.

Kelsey Rypstra of the Western Bulldogs at training in 2024 (Image via the Western Bulldogs FC)

Rypstra played five senior games for the Roosters before being drafted to the AFL, kicking three goals in that run from his averages of 10.6 disposals, 3.2 marks and 3.4 tackles per game. He would also play two reserves matches in 2024 for a return of three goals.

"Amazing to have Kelsey back in the red and white for season 2025. Unfortunate for him, that his time ended quickly at AFL level, but we are thrilled to have his skill set back at North Adelaide," North Adelaide coach Jacob Surjan said.

"Speedy, tough, work horse like footballer who has great goal sense. Kelsey is a young man who has great resilience, a team first attitude and want to win.

"We are looking forward to Kelsey running around again in the Red & white. Welcome back Kelsey and the Rypstra family to Prospect Oval."

North Adelaide recorded eight wins this year to finish seventh on the SANFL ladder, falling outside of the finals frame on percentage.

Published by
Mitch Keating