James Kelly has celebrated his 300^th game with a win over his former side.

The Bombers held on to beat a fast finishing Geelong by 17 points.

Kelly was a key figure in the victory, showing the composure fans have been accustom to throughout his career.

He finished the match with 23 possessions and ten marks.

The game was bookended with ‘special’ moments to mark Kelly’s milestone.

“Being able to take my son through the banner was really special,” Kelly said.

After the game, his current Essendon Captain Dyson Heppell and his former Cats teammate Joel Selwood chaired Kelly from the field.

“I spoke to Joel and said I had no expectation of the footy club at all,” Kelly said.

“I’m just really grateful for what they did for me throughout my career and tonight, it was really special.”

Throughout his 16 year career Kelly has been a part of three premiership sides (2007, 2009, 2011), was named in the All-Australian side (2011) and last year finished runner-up in the Crichton Medal.

In his first season with the Bombers in 2016, Kelly averaged career highs for disposals (25.3 per game), marks (6.5 per game) and rebounds from the defensive 50 (3 per game).

This season he’s averaging 21 possessions per game and said he benefitted from a week off against Melbourne a fortnight ago.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to manage my body pretty well and ‘Woosha’ has been really good with my program,” he said.

Essendon dominated the first three quarters against Geelong, with the margin blowing out to 40 points at the final change.

The Cats surged in the last quarter with the margin cut to less than two goals.

“I knew they were going to come, they always do,” Kelly said.

“To the boys credit they really hung tough, there was a couple of huge efforts by the boys late in the game.”

Goals to Orazio Fantasia and Joe Daniher eased the nerves, with the Bombers holding on for a win in Kelly’s milestone match.