Geelong, Fremantle stand firm as stars Tim Kelly, Lachie Neale request trades

GEELONG and Fremantle are preparing for battle over their contracted stars, Tim Kelly and Lachie Neale, and say they won’t roll over on trades to the players’ preferred clubs.

Geelong's Tim Kelly takes a mark. Picture: Michael Klein

GEELONG and Fremantle are preparing for battle over their contracted stars, Tim Kelly and Lachie Neale, and say they won’t roll over on trades to the players’ preferred clubs.

It was revealed on Friday Kelly wants a trade to West Coast and Neale has met Brisbane as he seeks a new home.

Another big-name player, Greater Western Sydney’s Dylan Shiel, is expected to announce his club of choice imminently.

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Former Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams, whose daughter is in a relationship with Shiel, told Adelaide radio station 5AA on Friday that Shiel would be in Victoria next year and he expected an announcement in 24-36 hours.

In what seems like a shift in power, the Cats and Dockers won’t entertain trades unless they are compensated with a blockbuster trade.

Tim Kelly had a brilliant first season at the Cats. Picture: Michael Klein

In recent years, and acknowledged by player managers this week, players have generally gone to the club of their choice.

Times might be changing.

The Kelly situation is complex because it’s understood he enjoys playing for the Cats, but his partner and wife of their three children would prefer to go home to Western Australia.

Senior Cats officials spoke to Kelly on Thursday night about his future.

It’s understood the Cats and Eagles had a brief discussion about Kelly on Friday.

The Cats can’t envisage trade with West Coast because they believe they can’t be satisfied by any Eagles offer, and the Dockers, who are in a better bargaining position than the Eagles, are apparently not on Kelly’s radar.

The Cats said: “Tim Kelly has asked that the club explore the possibility of trading him to his home state, Western Australia.

“As is well known, Tim is under contract to the Cats for the 2019 season, and it is highly likely he will remain with the club.

“However, out of respect for Tim, we will listen to what Fremantle and West Coast are prepared to offer and determine whether or not we believe it is a viable trade for our club.’’

Privately, the Cats are 100 per cent determined to keep Kelly.

Lachie Neale wants to move to the Brisbane Lions.

Kelly’s manager, Anthony van der Wielen, said a WA return was always a possibility for the smooth-moving midfielder.

“Geelong knew this was a possibility when they drafted him,” van der Wielen told SEN.

“The Cats have been fantastic trying to accommodate Tim and the family. If Tim could bring the Geelong footy club to Perth, he would.”

The Herald Sun first reported his homesickness and potential to return home in March as he and his partner arrived in Geelong with three children under three years of age.

The Eagles will have several high draft picks with Andrew Gaff possibly and Scott Lycett almost certainly leaving, handing West Coast selections in the early 20s.

There was speculation yesterday Gaff could remain an Eagle, turning his back on North Melbourne’s multi-million-dollar offer.

Meanwhile, the Dockers launched their position on Neale, declaring Brisbane’s pick No.4 in the national draft wouldn’t cut it for a trade.

“If Brisbane saw fit to offer pick 4 for Lachie Neale, we wouldn’t be accepting of it,” Dockers chief executive Steve Rosich told Trade Radio.

“We want to retain Lachie.”

Asked if his club was resigned to losing Neale, Rosich was emphatic.

“Certainly not. We remain positive he’ll be at our footy club not just next year, but beyond that.”

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