James Kelly's defensive work-rate makes him the complete package and worthy of All-Australian selection, Geelong coach Chris Scott says.

Not only is Kelly averaging 23.9 possessions per game for the second-placed Cats, the midfielder is one of the top three tacklers in the AFL with 125 in 16 matches.

His season's average of 7.8 tackles per game ranks Kelly alongside legendary Sydney hard man Jude Bolton, trailing only West Coast's Scott Selwood and Brisbane's Jack Redden.

"James Kelly is one of the most under-rated players in the competition," Scott said on Monday.

The first-year coach says he was surprised to find when he arrived at Geelong that the lean-looking Kelly was such a physically strong player.

"I always knew Kelly was a good player. I didn't realise he's as good as he is," Scott revealed on SEN radio.

"He's a genuine All-Australian standard player.

"He looks like not a big guy but he's incredibly strong for his weight and, more importantly, he's aggressive and has the right mindset to do all those defensive things.

"He's probably our best tackler."

In fact, it appears the 183cm Kelly has bulked up as the season has gone on, because he was listed as 85kg in the AFL's 2011 Media Guide and he was 88kg in last week's match program.

Kelly recorded a career-best third placing in Geelong's 2010 best and fairest award.

Meanwhile, Scott has left the door open for 31-year-old premiership forward Cam Mooney to get back into the senior side after another four-goal haul in the VFL.

"He's not sure, we're not sure whether he's going to be able to stand up to AFL football," Scott said of Mooney, who is battling a knee problem.

"But there is no question that if he can get somewhere near his best, he's in our best 22."

Key forward James Podsiadly suffered possible facial bruising in Sunday's win over Richmond, which might put Mooney in a position to push for a recall.

Podsiadly said on OneHD's One Week At A Time program that he would be fit to play at Skilled Stadium on Saturday against Melbourne.

"It did shake me up a little bit but all good now," Podsiadly said on Monday night.

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