Pelly was aGrogan Medal winner while withWestern Districts in 1956 and before that had played for Brunswick YCW. His performance at Western Districts earned him a chance in the VFL and he left the Queensland club at the end of the year to join North Melbourne. A rover, he played eight senior games in 1957 but only two in 1958.[3] He finished the 1958 season atWilliamstown, having been cleared by North Melbourne in July, and was a member of their VFA premiership team that year and again in 1959.[4]
The Grogan Medal has been awarded most years since 1927, and every year since 1945, to thebest and fairest player in theQueensland Australian Football League and, historically, other high-level Queensland football competitions. It was known as the De Little Medal until 1946.
