Caitlin Miller says Geelong Cats didn’t provide enough support for family after signing Tim Kelly

TIM Kelly’s partner Caitlin Miller has spoken of her heartbreak at the Geelong Cats player’s failed bid to return to Western Australia, hitting out at the club over its “minimal” support for the family.

Tim Kelly with partner Caitlin Miller and children Tykeem, and twins Tariq and Trey. Picture: Hails & Shine

TIM Kelly’s partner Caitlin Miller has spoken of her heartbreak at the Geelong Cats player’s failed bid to return to Western Australia, hitting out at the club over its “minimal” support for the family.

The father of three kids under 3 — one of whom has special needs — declared his wish to be traded to West Coast for family reasons but a deal between the two clubs was not struck.

The pair were locked in discussions until the final 10 minutes of the trade period on Wednesday, but were unable to find common ground on his trade value.

The gun midfielder and his young family - who didn’t entertain a move to Fremantle - are now forced to remain in Geelong another year to see out his contract.

Staring down the barrel of another season away from loved ones is a disappointing blow for Ms Miller, who feels the club failed to fulfill the promise it made when signing Kelly in November.

“The Geelong Cats fully understood and assured Tim and I they were taking on not just Tim but our family,” she said.

“They were aware we had never been to Melbourne, had no family or support and whilst we have had access to the club doctor when the children have been sick, the support we have been given by the Cats is minimal.

“We understand our situation is unique - I’m not sure the Cats have ever recruited a player with three under three from interstate so maybe they’re unaware of the kind of support that we should have been offered.”

Tim Kelly of the Cats with partner Caitlin Miller at the 2018 Brownlow Medal. Picture:Scott Barbour/Getty Images

After being overlooked in five national drafts, Kelly’s fortunes changed last year when he was selected by Geelong with the club’s second pick at number 24.

He was 23 at the time and Ms Miller — who had to look up where Geelong was — was due to give birth to the twins in the next month.

The pair tried to manage the distance in the early days but the emotional toll became too great and they decided living together as a family in Geelong was the only option.

On field, the transition to Geelong couldn’t have gone better for mature-age recruit who made his debut in the club’s opening round win against Melbourne at the MCG and went on to claim runner-up in the club’s best and fairest.

But off the field, the 24-year-old parents to 2½-year-old Tykeem and nine-month-old twins Tariq and Trey had a lot to juggle.

The challenges, Ms Miller said, are only amplified by the absence of their WA-based support system.

“Although I’d like to keep some part of my life private I don’t feel like I can give a true indication without letting people know how it really is,” she said.

“Trey has been seeing an ENT specialist and will need surgery in the coming months. Handling this alone with no support fills me with anxiety.

“Tykeem has weekly appointments with his autism diagnosis and struggles daily with loneliness when I have to devote so much time to the twins.

“Tim travelling for games and being home by myself with three children, especially when they are not well, is isolating in an environment when I already feel so alone.”

The contrast of life without family nearby was particularly stark for the couple who resided with Ms Miller’s family before relocating to Geelong, never having lived independently before.

Tim Kelly was equal runner-up at this year’s Carji Greeves Medal vote count. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Both sets of parents spent a “small fortune” travelling out to help the couple settle into Geelong life this year but Ms Miller said that won’t be feasible a second time around.

It is understood there are complications around exactly what Geelong can do to provide assistance to Kelly and his family due to certain restrictions within the salary cap guidelines.

There are also limitations as to how many times a club can fly the family of players based outside of their home state within a season, but exemptions can be granted under special circumstances.

Ms Miller and the children plan to return to Geelong in early January.

“I along with our family fully support Tim and look forward to watching his future success. We’re a strong unit and will always remain that way,” she said.

“My mum and I met with Geelong management in September to raise our concerns so I’m hoping better support will be in place for next year.”

Despite Kelly’s manager making it clear a request to be traded to reigning premiers West Coast would again be made in 12 months, Cats boss Brian Cook has declared the club is committed to doing whatever it can to make staying beyond Kelly’s contract not only possible, but appealing, for the family.

“We have to be confident, otherwise we would have traded him, so we are confident we can put some things together for him that will help his total life,” he said.

“Particularly around his family and trying to support his partner, Caitlin, and their children.”

Like his fellow Cats midfielder Gary Ablett before him, Kelly’s unsuccessful trade bid means the midfielder will be one of the ongoing stories of next season.

There will undoubtedly be regular speculation about his future and analysis of his on-field form.

While the couple is eternally grateful Kelly’s football dreams could be realised, Ms Miller wants people to understand sacrifices made to play at elite level aren’t only felt by the person taking the field.

“I want everyone to realise that behind every footballer is a wife/partner and family sometimes one that’s in a dark place,” she said.

Originally published as Caitlin Miller says Geelong Cats didn’t provide enough support for family after signing Tim Kelly